Jordan, Barkley Fined $10,000

A golf match that kept Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley away from a media availability session at the All-Star game cost them $10,000 apiece Instead of attending a mandatory media session in San Antonio, Jordan and Barkley played golf in Arizona.

Shaquille O’Neal, who remained only a short time at the session, was not fined. Nor was Hakeem Olajuwon, who said airline problems were the reason he failed to attend.

Washington Bullets forward Juwan Howard apologized for two incidents that have cost him $18,000 in fines and forced him to sit out one game.

“I pride myself on being a thinking man’s player and playing under control,” he said. “I let my frustration over losing take me out of my game. I realize that no amount of frustration will change either the referee’s calls or the outcome of the game. In the future, I will make a greater effort not to allow this to happen.”

Howard was fined $5,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture Friday. After Howard fouled out of the game against Charlotte, he knocked over a microphone and kicked over a water cooler as he walked toward the bench. Howard was ejected.

The Celtics placed guard Dee Brown on the injured list. He has a sore right toe.