Warriors May Nullify Sprewell’s Contract

Banned from practice and team facilities Tuesday, Latrell Sprewell was in jeopardy of having his four-year, $32 million NBA contract terminated following an attack on coach P.J. Carlesimo.

The three-time All-Star and leading scorer for the Golden State Warriors was suspended without pay for 10 games after two confrontations with Carlesimo at practice Monday. During the first, Sprewell put his hands around the coach’s throat and reportedly threatened to kill him; during the second he landed a glancing punch to Carlesimo’s neck.

In the aftermath, the team tried to sort its options, which include trading Sprewell, patching things up between player and coach, or terminating his contract, signed just two summers ago.

The New York Post said Sprewell put a stranglehold on Carlesimo and quoted the player as saying: “I’m going to kill you. You better get me off this team, or that’s what I’m going to do.” Several players and assistant coaches separated the two, the paper said.

Sprewell returned to the gym 20 minutes later, and punched the coach. After the second altercation was broken up, Sprewell went to general manager Garry St. Jean’s office and found him speaking to Sprewell’s agent, Arn Tellem. Sprewell grabbed the phone and told Tellem to “get me out of here today.”

Injury report

Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O’Neal will miss more games than originally expected because of the abdominal strain that has hampered him since the start of training camp two months ago.

All indications are that O’Neal won’t return until Dec. 14 at the earliest.

Popeye Jones, the leading rebounder for the Toronto Raptors, is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Lakers.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Derrick Coleman had a normal heartbeat restored in a successful medical procedure, the team said.

Coleman had his irregular heartbeat shocked back into a regular rhythm by electrocardioversion.

On the courts

Charles Barkley had 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his 20th career triple-double as Houston whipped visiting Denver 112-101.

Rex Chapman’s jumper with 23 seconds left and his two free throws seconds later gave visiting Phoenix a 90-86 victory over Milwaukee.

At Charlotte, N.C., Glen Rice scored 14 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the Charlotte Hornets had a franchise-record 41 assists in a 121-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings.