It looks like you've got your wish.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0313suns0313.html
Tsakalidis likely to play tonight
Center to see 5-10 minutes
Lee Shappell
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Tonight's game
KINGS AT SUNS
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: America West Arena.
TV/RADIO: TNT; KTAR-AM (620), KPHX-AM (1480).
SUNS UPDATE: At 33-30 (fourth, Pacific Division), they are tied with Houston for the eighth and final playoff position in the West, with Golden State 2 1/2 games back. They have dropped two of three to the Kings this season. Shawn Marion and Stephon Marbury scored 28 points each in a 110-101 win at home Dec. 21. F Alton Ford (back spasms) and C Jake Tsakalidis (back surgery) are on the injured list, but Tsakalidis likely will be activated. If he is, another player will have to go on the injured list.
KINGS UPDATE: At 45-19 (first, Pacific Division; second, Western Conference), they have won four in a row overall. Although they lead the season series 2-1 going into this final game, the Kings have dropped three of their past four regular-season games at America West Arena. Chris Webber had a triple-double (29 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists) in a Dec. 21 loss here. * Damon Jones (sprained ankle), * Mateen Cleaves (quadriceps tendinitis) and * Brent Price (strained back) are on the injured list.
It won't be the Suns who give injured starting center Jake Tsakalidis the green light regarding a return tonight against Pacific Division-leading Sacramento.
"He has to give me the green light," Suns coach Frank Johnson said after practice Wednesday.
Tsakalidis (7 feet 2, 290 pounds) said he expects to make the call today. He has missed two months following surgery on a disk in his back. He said he is pain-free and has regained flexibility.
"He can come back and play, but is he in game shape? No," Johnson said.
The Kings (45-19) start a front line that stands 6-10, 6-10 and 7-1 with Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. It's a good game for the Suns to gain 290 pounds and six fouls inside.
"And against Houston, too (Sunday's opponent with 7-6 Yao Ming)," Johnson said.
Rookie power forward Amare Stoudemire of the Suns (33-30) has maintained an inside presence, but he welcomes help.
"That's going to mean a lot," Stoudemire said. "We've been missing Jake. He can get eight or nine rebounds, block some shots and take pressure off me."
Johnson said he expects to spoon-feed Tsakalidis five to 10 minutes a game initially.
"I saw a lot of games on TV and learned I don't have to be an offensive scorer," Tsakalidis said. "Just stop people from coming inside, try to protect the paint, collect rebounds - the dirty work."
