Yi Jianlian’s NBA career isn’t going is he hoped, and his Nets’ career isn’t going how anyone hoped.

The Nets knew they were taking a risk in trading productive and popular Richard Jefferson for the unproven Yi, and with each injury he suffers, the trade looks worse and worse. He suffered a busted lip Saturday and could miss up to two weeks.

With each injury, you can continue to question why the Nets included Ryan Anderson in the deal involving Vince Carter or didn't draft Tyler Hansbrough, though he suffered an injury, too.

Yi’s injuries and the questions about the moves seem like they will be ongoing things. We know why Anderson had to be involved; Orlando wouldn’t have done the deal otherwise. The Nets were high on Hansbrough, but felt Terrence Williams would improve and fit their style and what they want to accomplish.

At this point, the Nets are fortunate to have Josh Boone, who has had his moments filling in at power forward for Yi.

The latest setback wasn’t Yi’s fault. Really, all three significant injuries he suffered with the Nets haven’t. But they have kept him on the bench more than on the court.

In January, he broke a bone in his hand slapping down on the ball trying to make a defensive play in Milwaukee. That cost him 16 games. In November, he sprained his right MCL after Gerald Wallace fell on Yi’s leg going for a loose ball, and on Saturday needed 50 – Five-OH! – in his upper lip after taking an inadvertent elbow from Sean Williams. It required so many stitches because the underlying muscle was torn.

You can’t help but feel for Yi, who is a nice young man and, in talking to him the past few days, was really excited to return to action. He worked hard to get back in position to play.

He was possibly going to play yesterday against the Knicks and definitely tomorrow against the Bulls. Now it probably won’t be until next Friday at Toronto or Saturday against the Lakers.

Yi will be re-evaluated Monday and then it will be determined when he can play. He can’t practice at all right now. He can’t sweat because that could cause an infection, and the lip needs to heal.

With practices minimal because of the Nets’ schedule, he may have to get in after a shootaround or a post-shoot three-on-three. The Nets should keep Sean Williams off the court if that’s the case.

As of now, Yi has missed 32 of the 102 games the Nets have played since he came here due to injury. In the calendar year 2009, it’s 32 of 70. And he’s out until at least the middle of next week, if not longer, so you can add at least six more games to that list.

This was supposed to be Yi’s breakout season after he spent the summer working out in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, East Rutherford and China. He returned to the Nets stronger and with more confidence.

Depending on when he returns, the Nets should have 50-55 games left so he could make something of this season.

All the Nets can hope is that Yi doesn't lose that confidence from the multiple injuries and from the rust of not playing –- though interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe will give him more room for error than Lawrence Frank and certainly will call more plays. They also hope Yi won't get hurt again.

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Yi’s latest injury and the fact a quarter of the season has passed reminded us of something we did with the website The Nets are Scorching. It was a pre-season over/under, and some of our picks aren’t looking good.

Total Nets Victories – 34
My pick: Under
Genius

Devin Harris points per game – 21
My pick: Over
Still time, but maybe not

Brook Lopez rebounds per game – 10
My pick: Under
Could be close

Yi Jianlian points per game – 14
My pick: Under
Looks good

Terrence Williams total starts – 40
My pick: Under
Looks great

Courtney Lee points per game – 12
My pick: Over
Still possible

Starts by a point guard other than Devin Harris – 10
My pick: Under
Bad pick

Starts by a power forward other than Yi - 15
My pick: Under
Awful pick ... what was I thinking?

Chris Douglas-Roberts minutes per game – 18
My pick: Over
I'm the smartest man alive

Nets Team Defense, points allowed – 101
My pick: Under
Still possible

Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)