Rodman Returns In Style

Dennis Rodman returned to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night and played about half the second quarter against Sacramento before abruptly leaving the game in pain just seconds before halftime.

He was back in the game with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter and finished with 15 rebounds in the Spurs’ victory.

Rodman ran from the court holding his shoulder area and crouched on his knees with his face to the floor near the Spurs’ bench. He later left the court, grimacing as he covered his face with a towel.

Spurs spokesman Tom James said Rodman had spasms in his right shoulder blade, believed unrelated to the separation of his right shoulder during a March 19 motorcycle accident.

Rodman had missed 14 games since the accident. He has averaged 7.3 points and a league-leading 17.4 rebounds this season.

The spasms occurred after Rodman made two free throws to give the Spurs a 52-44 lead with 10 seconds remaining in the half.

Rodman got a 25-second standing ovation when he entered the game with 7:29 remaining in the second period.

Smith goes pro

Joe Smith confirmed the worst fears of Maryland’s resurgent Terrapins, tearfully announcing that he’s giving up his final two years of college eligibility and opting for the NBA draft.

“Basically, my family is not in financial straits,” Smith said in a news conference at Maury High School, where he was a prep star. “It’s not the money. But my mom raised seven kids and it’s time for me to give something back.”

After announcing he would make himself available for the June draft, Smith sat beside his mother, Letha, leaned over into her lap and sobbed.

Nuggets activate Ellis

Forward LaPhonso Ellis, who hasn’t played this season after undergoing knee surgery in November, was activated from the injured list by the Denver Nuggets.

Ellis averaged 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds as a starter last season. He had surgery to repair a stress fracture to the patella in his right knee, an injury sustained Sept. 11.

Payton breaks finger

The Seattle SuperSonics said Gary Payton has a broken finger and his status for today’s game at Golden State is uncertain.

Payton broke the ring finger on his left hand in Thursday night’s victory over Dallas in the Tacoma Dome, the team said Friday.

He led the team with 24 points and seven steals in that game.