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DENVER -- Danilo Gallinaris knee surgery wasnt as complex as anticipated, so he could return to the Denver Nuggets sooner than expected. Gallinari tore his left ACL in a game against Dallas on April 4 and was expected to miss at least half of next season. He underwent surgery this week at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, where he was operated on by noted surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman. Team spokesman Tim Gelt forwarded a statement from the clinic to The Associated Press on Friday night that read: "Danilo Gallinari had an arthroscopic procedure to promote healing of his ACL tear, which was found to be partially torn at the time of surgery. Dr. Steadman has performed over 2,000 of these procedures. We are hopeful that Danilo will return to basketball sooner than if he had a complete ACL reconstruction." Gallinari also posted a video Friday on his official Facebook page in which he delivered the good news, saying in Italian that his recovery time will be "completely different" that previously expected. Neither Gallinari nor his surgeon, however, revealed a new timetable for his return to the hardwood. The Nuggets were planning on being without their 24-year-old forward at least until February. That timetable, in fact, played a role in coach George Karls firing, according to team President Josh Kroenke, who cited Gallinaris injury last week in explaining his reasoning for pink-slipping the NBAs Coach of Year. Karl had one year left on his contract and wanted an extension that Kroenke wasnt prepared to give him. So, with Gallinari expected to miss the first half of the season, at the very least, Kroenke reasoned there was a strong possibility the Nuggets could get off to a slow start in 2013-14, which would have put Karl in an untenable position as a lame duck coach. So, Kroenke said he fired Karl rather than allow for that possibility. Karl has said in recent days he didnt comprehend the reason for his firing. Karls dismissal came less than a week after Masai Ujiri, the leagues Executive of the Year, left the Nuggets to take over as GM of the Toronto Raptors. The Nuggets best defender, Andre Iguodala, is expected to opt out of his $16 million contract for next season and test free agency this summer, which could further redefine a Nuggets team that won a franchise-most 57 games during the regular season only to flop in the first round again. Former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins is expected to interview for the Nuggets vacant head coaching job this weekend. Kroenke has said hes in no hurry to hire a coach or GM. Acquired from the New York Knicks in the blockbuster trade of Carmelo Anthony in 2011, Gallinari was in the midst of a breakout season when he got hurt. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 71 games. The Nuggets sorely missed their second-leading scorer and their best free throw shooter in their first-round playoff loss to Golden State. Gallinari got hurt when he planted his left leg awkwardly while going for a layup against the Mavericks at the Pepsi Center on April 4. The following day, the Nuggets said an MRI revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament. But surgery was delayed to allow the swelling to subside, then again as he underwent a less invasive procedure. New Balance Shoes NZ Online . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. New Balance NZ Outlet . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. http://www.clearancenewbalancenz.com/ . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Wholesale Shoes NZ .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. New Balance Shoes NZ Sale . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Jason Day has already cast his focus to the defence of his US PGA Championship after rounding out Australias disappointing Open Championship campaign.Day ended the 145th Open as Australias leading performer at Royal Troon after closing with a one-over-par 70 to finish level with the card.But his tie for 22nd still completed the countrys worst collective showing in six years and snapped the world No.1s run of five straight top-10 finishes at the majors.Day cant wait to leave Scotlands cold weather and slow greens behind and return to north America.He will be defending two titles back to back starting on Thursday at the Canadian Open before heading to New Jersey for the PGA.The Queenslanders twin triumphs last year, climaxing at Whistling Straits with his long overdue major championship breakthrough, sparked an extraordinary run of eight wins in 18 events and rise to world No.1.Im pumped to get back to some 90 degree (warm) weather. Dont have to wear three or four layers on every day, Day said.The greens are going to be very quick, so once I get in tonight, Ill have a good rest and get into that.But obviously the PGA is the first time Ive ever defended a major championship, so Ill try and soak up the experience of what that entails.Once Thursday comes around, you have to go out there and execute and play good.Excited about that, but also excited to defend Canada as well.Adam Scott and Matt Jones are also looking forward to the PGA, which starts just 11 days after the Open in a congested schedule accommodating the Rioo Olympics.ddddddddddddones, who held the halfway lead at Whistling Straits, tied for 39th at Troon and closed in style with a hole-out eagle from 175 metres in a 71 on Sunday.The reigning Australian Open champion was disappointed not to have finished better than four over for the tournament and said he planned on contending at Baltusrol.I putted good for nine holes and didnt make anything for the rest of the week, Jones said.I didnt get up and down many times either, so I left a lot out there.But Im looking forward to the PGA. I know I can compete. Ive done it week in, week out so I know Im ready.Scott said the seasons final major couldnt come quickly enough after his quest for an elusive Claret Jug also ended with a 71 for a five-over total and equal 43rd spot.I finally made some birdies on the first few holes, Scott rued after slow starts on the first three days cost the former Masters champion a top-10 at the Open for a fifth successive year.But Im very encouraged by the way I hit the ball today. I finally felt I had things under control.I rolled a couple putts the last couple days a little better as well, so I go to the PGA encouraged with how I played. Feeling close every day.Marc Leishman (73) finished tied 53rd at seven over, Scott Hend (76) wound up in joint 72nd at plus five, while Greg Chalmers (85) was last of the 81 players who made the cut following his final-round howler. ' ' '