Bobcats Insider: Concern for Augustin's ankle

First it was torn knee cartilage. Now it's ankle sprains. The Bobcats have abundant injuries, and this team wasn't particularly deep from the beginning. Before the season began, the Bobcats lost long-range shooter Reggie Williams and big man Eduardo Najera to knee surgeries that would keep each one out at least a month. Then starting power forward Tyrus Thomas sprained an ankle in the team's first exhibition and has missed the first two regular-season games. Now starting point guard D.J. Augustin is playing through a left ankle sprain that keeps getting aggravated. Augustin hurt his ankle again Monday, late in a season-opening victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, and couldn't practice Tuesday, but he managed to play in a 96-95 home loss to the Heat on Wednesday. Augustin is plenty tough. The issue isn't so much whether he can get through the pain, but rather how effective he can be in a position that demands great lateral quickness. About 36 hours of treatment offered enough relief to put him on the court versus the defending Eastern Conference champions. "A lot of stim (electrical stimulation), ultrasound and ice. A lot of Advil," Augustin told the Charlotte Observer when asked what's keeping him on the court. "A lot of staying off it and a lot of stability exercises to make the ligament stronger." The fact that the Bobcats have no back-to-back games or road trips the season's first week probably helped get Augustin through this. The Bobcats play the Orlando Magic at home Friday. Still no word on when Thomas will be back from his ankle sprain. NOTES The Bobcats' single biggest concern entering the regular season was rebounding, so the results in the first two games are stunning. The Bobcats outrebounded the Bucks and Heat by a combined 46 boards. Boris Diaw, the definitive undersized center, is averaging 13.5 rebounds. The coaching staff would like to refine a zone defense, which could facilitate playing point guards D.J. Augustin and Kemba Walker some together (reducing the concern over a lack of height). But in this condensed schedule, it's hard to find the practice time to implement change. ROSTER REPORT C Boris Diaw is such a creative passer that sometimes he overcomplicates the game. He committed five of his six turnovers vs. the Heat in the third quarter, when a 15-point lead dwindled to one. F Bismack Biyombo, a rookie, has a lot to learn, particularly on offense. But four rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes versus the Heat showed his potential to affect games defensively. G Gerald Henderson was an unreliable and reluctant outside shooter until the end of last season. No more. Henderson was 10-of-19 from the field against Miami, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the last 12 seconds that easily could have been the game-winner. F Corey Maggette was supposed to be this team's go-to scorer. He was 1-of-10 from the field versus Miami, though he gets some indulgence on that because he had so much defensive responsibility, trying to contain LeBron James. G-F Reggie Williams (surgery to repair torn knee cartilage) is out at least through late January. The Bobcats knew Williams would need surgery when they signed him as a free agent last week. F-C Eduardo Najera (surgery to repair torn knee cartilage) is likely out through January. The damage was discovered during training camp and further limits coach Paul Silas' options at center. F Tyrus Thomas (sprained left ankle) missed the first two games. He's listed as day-to-day. QUOTE TO NOTE "They weren't playing us that tough, and we were throwing the ball away. We're trying to make the perfect pass. We've got to make the simple play." -- Bobcats coach Paul Silas on the 12-turnover third quarter that cost them the victory over the Heat.