Delonte West (finger) is active for Thursday's game against the Heat. West's exact role in his first game since February 15 is unclear. Eventually, he projects to take some minutes away from Roddy Beaubois as a combo guard that Rick Carlisle trusts.

Delonte West (finger) said that he plans to play against the Heat on Thursday. West is listed as questionable, and despite the fact that he wasn't expected to play until next week, it sounds like he's got a real chance of playing. Rick Carlisle said that he would like to get West into the game, but it'll take some time for West to assume the 23 minutes per game he was getting prior to his injury.

Delonte West (finger) traveled to Miami and is questionable for Thursday's game against the Heat. West injured his finger on February 15 and hasn't played in a single game since. However, he's now been cleared for basketball drills at this point in his rehab. Prior to going down, West was averaging right around 23 minutes per game, but it may take a few games to get his legs back under him before he resumes his traditional role in the rotation.

Delonte West (finger) still hasn't been cleared for contact. West isn't expected back until next week. Owners riding Roddy Beaubois are safe for now. Roddy B is averaging 11.6 points, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 3-pointers over the last 14 games.

Beat writer Jeff Caplan opined Monday that Delonte West's return would be "more realistic" next week. Caplan added that West would try to play on Thursday and Friday, so we're not ruling that out, but it looks like Roddy Beaubois will get this week to make his case to Rick Carlisle. Owners should take a wait-and-see approach with the whole situation, as there are plenty of moving parts that come with Beaubois and his ever-elusive upside.

Delonte West (finger) hasn't ruled out a return for Thursday's game against the Heat. West said he's realistically targeting next week for his return, but there's a possibility he'll get cleared sooner. He was limited to non-contact work on Monday. Once up to speed, West figures to take significant minutes away from Roddy Beaubois and Jason Kidd. He was playing 22.7 minutes and started 20 of 29 games before going down.

Delonte West (finger) could return as soon as Tuesday, according to coach Rick Carlisle. West's return will probably allow Carlisle to ease back the playing time of Jason Kidd and Roddy Beaubois, whom the Mavs are wary of tiring out. They can't afford to mess around too much, though, as the reigning champs are still fighting for their playoff lives.

Delonte West returned to action on Thursday March 22.

Delonte West (finger) has been cleared for "light" workouts according to a report from beat writer Earl Sneed on Monday. Sneed included a picture (linked) of West shooting around, and he does appear to be progressing in his rehab. When West returns, he'll do more to clutter up the fantasy backcourt in Dallas than anything else.

Delonte West (finger) visited doctors again on Friday, but there is still no timetable for his return. "Probably after a solid week of court conditioning, ball movement and moving with this hand, we'll see where we stand," said West. He'll need to return to practice and get his conditioning back to speed before considering a return, and even then he's not a sure thing to hold fantasy value.