Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was placed on the injured list Friday because of a severe cut on his right index finger that will keep him out of action for at least a week.
The Lakers said Bryant needed nine to 10 stitches to close the wound. He was injured Thursday when he accidentally put his hand through a glass window while trying to move some boxes that were in storage in his garage, the team said.
Bryant was going to have to miss Monday night’s game at Indiana to attend a two-day hearing related to his sexual assault case in Eagle, Colo. He has been charged with allegedly raping a 19-year-old hotel employee last summer and faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation if convicted of felony sexual assault. He says the two had consensual sex.
Houston to rest knees
New York Knicks guard Allan Houston will rest his ailing knees and could be sidelined until mid-February.
Houston, averaging 19.5 points, thinks he made a mistake by coming back for the final two preseason games instead of taking more time to allow his surgically repaired right knee to heal.
He now has pain in his left knee, too, possibly from compensating to protect his right knee.
Harrington given OK
Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington has no structural damage in his sore right knee and isn’t expected to miss any time.
Tests on the knee found no such damage.
Harrington has been bothered by the knee since colliding with teammate Jermaine O’Neal before the season started.
Mavericks get help
The Dallas Mavericks were awarded forward Scott Williams on a waiver claim, giving them a much-needed defensive presence in the low post.
The 6-foot-10-inch Williams, a 13-year veteran, was waived Wednesday by the Phoenix Suns. He won three NBA titles with the Bulls from 1991 to 1993.
One of the league’s worst defensive teams, the Mavericks have allowed teams to score 99.8 points–the highest opponents average of any NBA team.
Jazz fined for mock call
The Utah Jazz was fined $15,000 by the NBA for a skit that ridiculed Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Utah last week.
The Jazz later issued an apology to the Lakers organization. Malone said Friday night that he doesn’t accept Utah’s apology.
“It’s not sincere,” he said.
RESULTS, FRIDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Bulls at Golden State, late
Coverage, Page 3
Phoenix 100 at Washington 105
Larry Hughes scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter when the Wizards rallied from a 15-point deficit. Hughes scored seven points in a 15-0 run that tied the game.
Detroit 90 at Toronto 89
Richard Hamilton scored all eight of the Pistons’ points in overtime and Ben Wallace blocked two shots in the final five seconds, including Vince Carter’s jumper just before the buzzer.
New Orleans 82 at Philadelphia 85
Aaron McKie hit a pair of jumpers in the final 1:35 to lead the 76ers. Allen Iverson returned to the Sixers’ lineup after missing 2 games with a sprained finger and had 31 points and 8 assists.
New York 92 at Boston 74
Stephon Marbury scored 17 points as the Knicks handed the Celtics their second straight loss under interim coach John Carroll. The Celtics lost for the seventh time in nine games.
L.A. Clippers 88 at Miami 97
Lamar Odom had 25 points and 14 rebounds against his former team, leading the Heat. Rafer Alston secured the victory on a 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining to put Miami ahead 91-83.
Utah 85 at Memphis 79
Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points and the Jazz outrebounded Memphis 44-26. Utah held Memphis to 8 points in the 2nd period, the Grizzlies’ lowest production in a quarter this season.
Cleveland at Milwaukee, late
Cavaliers try to surpass last season’s win total. With 37 games left, Cleveland is just two games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Bucks are 13-4 since Jan. 1.
Minnesota At L.A. Lakers, late
The Lakers will try to hand the Timberwolves consecutive defeats for the first time since Nov. 25-26. The Timberwolves have won 10 of their last 12 games.
