Payton breaks thumb
Celtics point guard Gary Payton missed Wednesday’s preseason game against Detroit because of a broken right thumb.
Payton, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in an offseason trade, was injured Monday in the fourth quarter of Boston’s 95-88 loss to Cleveland.
The team said Payton, 36, will be re-evaluated daily and is expected to play in the Celtics’ season opener against Philadelphia on Nov. 3.
Last season, Payton averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 assists and 34.5 minutes, his lowest totals in 11 seasons. He has career averages of 18 points, 7.2 assists and 36.8 minutes per game.
After being traded, Payton said he did not want to play in Boston or move his family from the West Coast, and missed an Aug. 13 deadline for his physical. But he reported to Celtics training camp on time.
NBA hands out punishment
Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards was suspended for three games by the NBA on Wednesday for fighting during a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls.
Antonio Davis and Eddy Curry of the Bulls received two-game suspensions, Washington’s Larry Hughes drew a one-game suspension and Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was handed a $10,000 fine. Haywood, Davis and Curry were suspended for throwing punches, while Hughes was penalized for initiating the confrontation by head-butting Hinrich.
The suspensions take effect with the opening of the NBA regular season next week.
The NBA also fined Boston guard Paul Pierce $15,000 for spitting in the direction of the Cavaliers’ bench during Cleveland’s 95-88 victory over the Celtics on Monday night.
Carter battles legal woes
Just days before the NBA regular season begins, Vince Carter has left the Toronto Raptors for two days to be in federal court and fight a lawsuit filed by his former agent, who has spent the last few years in federal prison.
William “Tank” Black wants Carter to pay him $9 million in commissions for endorsement deals the former agent said he landed for Carter, as well as $5 million in damages, according to the suit filed last year.
Carter has countersued, demanding Black pay him the $15.9 million Carter lost when Puma sued him over a failed shoe deal and a $3 million penalty for breaking the contract.
Around the league
Former Gonzaga University standout Blake Stepp was cut by the Minnesota Timberwolves after appearing in five preseason games with averages of 6.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. … Indiana Pacers backup point guard Anthony Johnson broke his right hand in Tuesday’s preseason game against Memphis and is expected to miss four weeks. … Amare Stoudemire, the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year, had his contract extended by the Phoenix Suns who exercised their fourth-year option on the contract.