Hello and welcome to the 6 O’Clock News.
As the NBA regular season dies down and the playoff races heat up, we’ll keep you updated every day at 6 O’Clock. What’s happening today?
Here’s the latest news around the league:
Jordan Hill expected to return soon.
According to Shams Charania of Realgm.com, Jordan Hill is expected to be cleared for basketball related activities as early as next week. At that point, Hill will condition himself into game shape as the Lakers hope to have him return in time for the playoffs. Hill’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, said it “will just be a matter of basketball shape and when he can go.” 
If Hill is indeed active in time for the playoffs, the Lakers will finally add a much-needed interior presence for the bench. The Lakers currently sit as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a one game lead on the Utah Jazz. Hill was averaging 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds a game in the 29 games he had played in before injuring his hip in January.
Knicks add Solomon Jones for remainder of season.
After a reported deal with James Singleton fell through, the New York Knicks have turned to Solomon Jones to bring depth to the team’s depleted front court. From Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, New York will release Kurt Thomas to make room for Jones.
Jones had been playing in China this season. On Friday, Jones received a letter of clearance from Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association that permits him to return to the NBA immediately. With Liaoning, Jones averaged 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. Jones played in limited minutes last season for both the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers. 
With Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, and Rasheed Wallace all dealing with injuries, the undersized Chris Copeland has recently been forced to assume duties as a center. With Jones (6’10”) on the roster, the Knicks now have a last resort to fill the paint.
Jones played under Mike Woodson with the Atlanta Hawks from 2006-2009.
The Knicks are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 51-27 record. They have already clinched the Atlantic Division.
Spurs surprisingly waive Stephen Jackson.
Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski also reported on Friday that the San Antonio Spurs have decided to waive Stephen Jackson. One source said of the decision, “It’s been brewing for a few days.” 
The move comes as a surprise around the league as Jackson has been playing respectable minutes for the Spurs all season. Jackson has been averaging 6.2 points per game in 19.5 minutes a game. As recently as last Saturday, he played 19 minutes for the Spurs and scored nine points. His status had been ruled as day-to-day with an ankle injury and didn’t play in the team’s most recent game on Wednesday.
Jackson was acquired by San Antonio last season at the trade deadline. This had been his second stint with the Spurs. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003 as an integral role player. Jackson’s $10-million contract comes off the books this off-season.
