Stockton Prepares To Return
All-star point guard John Stockton is expected to rejoin the lineup of the Utah Jazz today following an eight-week layoff following knee surgery, according to news reports.
The Deseret News of Salt Lake City, citing unnamed sources within the Jazz organization, reported Sunday that Stockton’s return would come a week earlier than the team’s most optimistic estimates of even a few days ago.
The Jazz aren’t commenting publicly, the newspaper reported, partly because it will have to cut a player to make room for Stockton. Most likely it will be rookie point guard Troy Hudson, who has been used sparingly in eight games.
“It looks like John will return to the lineup as long as the shoot-around goes well and there are not complications,” the source told the newspaper.
Pippen may rejoin Bulls
A subdued Scottie Pippen hinted he probably will return to the Bulls, but he’s more concerned with the status of his health.
After working out briefly with the team, Pippen said he had made little progress lately in his recovery from foot surgery in October. Pippen began practicing with the team about four weeks ago, well ahead of schedule.
Pippen had hoped to be ready to play this month, but now says sometime in January may be more realistic.
On the courts
In Phoenix, Reggie Miller hit a 13-foot baseline jumper at the overtime buzzer to give the Indiana Pacers their sixth consecutive victory, 99-97 over the Suns. With 2.5 seconds remaining, Miller took a midcourt in-bounds pass from Mark Pope, planted his feet and fired an arching shot over Phoenix’s Jason Kidd that swished through as the horn sounded.
In Toronto, Jerome Williams had 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench as the Detroit Pistons snapped a four-game road losing streak with a 93-83 victory over the Raptors. Toronto extended its franchise-record losing streak to 16 games with its eighth straight home loss.
In Denver, LaPhonso Ellis scored a season-high 21 points and the Nuggets rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 100-92. The Nuggets outscored Los Angeles 30-14 in the final period and won for only the second time in 17 games. It was Nuggets coach Bill Hanzlik’s 40th birthday.
In Sacramento, Calif., Mitch Richmond scored 24 points and Corliss Williamson had 15 in the decisive third quarter as the Kings beat the Golden State Warriors 99-84 to snap a six-game losing streak.
The Warriors dropped to 2-15.