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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NBA: Disgruntled Bryant back at practice

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Kobe Bryant returned to practice after sitting out the previous three days, and coach Phil Jackson said he expects the disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers’ star to play in an exhibition game tonight.

“Yeah, we’ll probably play him, get him out there,” Jackson said after practice Wednesday. “He seemed all right, sure did.”

The Lakers face Seattle in Bakersfield, Calif., tonight in the first of six exhibition games in nine days. They lost their first two exhibition games to Golden State last week in Honolulu.

Bryant hadn’t practiced since Saturday because of a sore knee. He didn’t speak with reporters Wednesday.

Kidd accused

A woman has accused NBA star Jason Kidd of harassing and groping her this month at a trendy Manhattan nightspot.

Kidd spokesman Scott Miranda said the accusation was “a complete fabrication and it is sad that someone would make something like this up.”

A police official confirmed news reports that the woman told police Kidd approached her inside the club and, without warning, grabbed her crotch.

Kidd, in the midst of a divorce, has previously denied his wife’s allegations that he physically abused her and cheated on her during their 10-year marriage.

MSG asks for reduction

Madison Square Garden and Knicks coach Isiah Thomas have asked a judge to reduce the $11.6 million in punitive damages a jury awarded a former team executive after concluding she was sexually harassed and fired out of spite.

Anucha Browne Sanders was awarded the damages this month after a three-week trial.

Bucks release Walker

The Milwaukee Bucks have waived Samaki Walker.

The 31-year-old Walker signed a free-agent contract with Milwaukee three weeks ago, but did not appear in a game during the preseason.