Larry Sanders "70-30" to return on Tuesday in Brooklyn

Life without Larry Sanders hasn't been particularly pleasant for the Milwaukee Bucks, who limped into the all-star break having lost three of four with Sanders (lower back contusion) in street clothes. Thankfully, the Bucks' most valuable player (kind of weird to say it out loud, right?) figures to be back sooner rather than later.

Larry Sanders participated in the full practice today and will be a game-time decision for #MILvBKN tomorrow.

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 18, 2013

Charles Gardner reports that Sanders was sounding optimistic after the Bucks' practice earlier today.

"I wouldn't guarantee it but I'd probably say a 70-30 chance," Sanders said of playing Tuesday.

Sanders said he benefited greatly from the break and came to the Bucks' facility for treatment and was able to work on some shots while continuing to recuperate.

Further tests reveal no damage to Larry Sanders' back, may rest beyond All-Star break

Larry Sanders sought a second opinion on his sore back, but further tests came back negative. Sanders may be out beyond the All-Star break due to soreness, however.

Larry Sanders out vs. Pistons, Luc Mbah a Moute back

Despite taking part in non-contact drills on Friday, Larry Sanders has been officially ruled out of Saturday's game vs. the Pistons, the second straight game he's missed following his nasty fall in Denver on Tuesday. In better news, Luc Mbah a Moute (sore knee) will be available after missing Wednesday's game in Utah.

Sanders (lower back contusion) and Daniels (personal reasons) are out for the Bucks. Mbah a Moute will return to action tonight. #MILvDET

— Bucks PR (@BucksPR) February 10, 2013

Larry Sanders expected back "within a few days"

Writing after the Utah game on Wednesday, Charles Gardner reports that Larry Sanders was hoping to be back "within a few days" from the injured lower back that held him out of Wednesday's loss in Utah.

"There's no structural damage; he's just got a bruise," Boylan said. "There was an X-ray taken last night that really didn't show much. So we were just waiting until this morning where we could get a more detailed image.

"I don't know if there was any sort of hand-wringing or anything like that. We were concerned about Larry. He was uncomfortable. He got hurt; it was a big fall. We were just making sure everything was as right as it could be. We didn't want to say anything until we absolutely knew what the situation was."

At this point it's unclear if Sanders will be fit for Saturday's home game against the Pistons, though it sure would be convenient if he was. Detroit's size caused the Bucks fits in two losses earlier this season before Brandon Jennings' third quarter explosion earned Milwaukee a much-needed win in Detroit two weeks ago.

Sam Dalembert would once again start at center if Sanders is out on Saturday, though the Utah game offered another example of how important Sanders is to the Bucks' success. The Bucks are 1-2 in Sanders' absence this season, having lost by double-digits to the Jazz and Bulls without him in the past two weeks.

Amick: Larry Sanders injury "relatively minor"

Good news on the Larry Sanders injury front courtesy of USA Today's Sam Amick:

[F]ears that the third-year defensive specialist had fractured his back have been allayed and the injury is considered relatively minor. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the team had not yet updated his status publicly. It's unclear if the league leader in blocks (3.2 per game) will play tonight at Utah, but the Bucks are breathing a sigh of relief that it's even a possibility.

Sanders is officially still listed as questionable for tonight's matchup against the Jazz, with Samuel Dalembert expected to start in his place if he's unable to go. The Bucks return home after tonight's game and will have two days off ahead of Saturday's game with the Pistons in Milwaukee. Sanders fell awkwardly in Tuesday night's loss in Denver, falling on his back and hip after a mid-air collision with Denver's Kenneth Faried.

Larry Sanders x-rays negative, travels to Utah

The Bucks know all too well that a single fall can dramatically alter a season--or in the case of Andrew Bogut, a player's career.

So you'd forgive Bucks fans for holding their breath at the sight of Bogut's heir apparent Larry Sanders lying on the floor in severe pain, the victim of a mid-air collision with Nuggets' power forward Kenneth Faried on Tuesday night in Denver. While Sanders was due further evaluation on Wednesday, the initial news after the game was promising, or at least not as bad as it could have been. Charles Gardner reports Sanders was in pain but upbeat after the game, which saw the Bucks collapse down the stretch despite Samuel Dalembert's career-high 35 points:

"I landed more to the right side, on the back of the hip bone," Sanders said. "They did a couple X-rays. Nothing too severe. That's great news.

"It's pretty painful. I'll just get a couple more X-rays and take care of it so I can get back as fast as I can."

Sanders will be with the team tonight in Utah, but there's been no indication as of yet that he'll be able to suit up against the Jazz. Considering the amount of pain he appeared to be in immediately after the fall, you would assume the third-year center is unlikely to feature against the Jazz. Thankfully the Bucks will then have a couple days off before they host Detroit at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Saturday, but at this point Sanders' timetable for returning is unclear.

His absence would necessarily create a major vacuum in the middle for Milwaukee, which enters tonight's game in Utah seventh in the East--one game behind sixth seeded Atlanta, one game ahead of eighth seeded Boston, and four games ahead of ninth place Philadelphia. While Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis necessarily take most of the headlines (and shots), Sanders' massive defensive presence and improved finishing inside have made him the Bucks' most impactful player to date. It's also earned the third-year pro well-deserved buzz as a most improved player candidate and potential all-defensive team member. So while the Bucks' depth up front might blunt the impact of Sanders' absence, the reality is that there's simply no way to replace his disruptive defensive abilities.

Dalembert's recent re-emergence does give the Bucks palatable options up front should Sanders be out any period of time, with Ekpe Udoh and John Henson also available to fill Sanders' large shoes. Coach Jim Boylan would presumably feature Dalembert next to Ilyasova in the starting lineup with the recently marginalized Udoh and Henson providing relief off the bench, a combination the Bucks used with mixed results against the Bulls a week ago when Sanders was out with the flu.

VIDEO: Larry Sanders injures back in loss to Nuggets

Larry Sanders was carried to the locker room after hitting the court hard following a mid-air collision with the Nuggets' Kenneth Faried.