Ewing Has Cast Removed
A cast was removed from Patrick Ewing’s injured right wrist Sunday, but his coach was not holding out any hope that the star center could return for the playoffs.
“I want Patrick to be as positive as possible because I think that goes a long way in rehab, but I’m going with what the doctors tell me - it’ll be next year,” coach Jeff Van Gundy said prior to the Knicks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.
The cast had been in place for eight weeks since Ewing fractured his right wrist Dec. 20 when he fell hard to the floor in a game at Milwaukee.
“It was a long eight weeks, but I’m glad the cast is off,” Ewing said. “I’m going to work hard at getting back on the court with my teammates as soon as possible.”
New Blazers forced to sit
Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers, acquired by the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade with Toronto weren’t in uniform for Sunday night’s 117-82 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets because the players sent to the Raptors hadn’t taken their physicals.
Alvin Williams and Gary Trent, who arrived in Toronto late Saturday night, weren’t able to take their physicals in time for the Raptors’ game against Miami. The players were scheduled to undergo MRI exams today.
Kenny Anderson, who said he wouldn’t play for Toronto, hadn’t yet reported to the Raptors.
Under NBA rules, none of the participants in the trade can play until all the physicals have been completed.
Jim Paxson, Portland’s director of player personnel, said before the game that Portland has held up its end of the deal, and now it’s up to the Raptors to finish it off.
Sprewell case draws to close
The Latrell Sprewell arbitration case will come to an official close today, starting the clock ticking on a 30-day window for arbitrator John Feerick to rule on the validity of Sprewell’s yearlong suspension.
Closing arguments will be made before Feerick in a Manhattan law office. Sprewell will have already missed 35 games - making his suspension the longest in NBA history.
On the courts
Charles Barkley, who admitted to a drinking problem on NBC’s pregame show, hit a tiebreaking 20-foot jumper with 3.6 seconds remaining to give the Houston Rockets a 90-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
Alonzo Mourning scored 31 points and the visiting Miami Heat rolled over the Raptors 116-95.
At New York, Allan Houston scored a season-high 34 points, including 22 in the third quarter, as the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-91.
At Minneapolis, Stephon Marbury scored nine of his 23 points in overtime as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks 105-99.
At Oakland, Calif., Donyell Marshall scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors ended their 11-game home losing streak with a 101-87 win over the Boston Celtics.
Mitch Richmond’s tiebreaking jumper with 91 seconds left was the last basket of the game as the Sacramento Kings beat the visiting Washington Wizards 88-86.