Wilkens set to resign from Knicks
Lenny Wilkens met with Knicks president Isiah Thomas after New York’s last-second loss to Houston on Friday night and indicated he would likely resign as head coach, sources told the Associated Press.
The resignation will likely come this morning when the team holds practice at its suburban New York training facility, said two NBA sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Wilkens still has two years and $10 million left on his contract.
Last season, he led the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2001, going 23-19 after taking over the team following Don Chaney’s firing. The Knicks were then swept by New Jersey in the first round.
Citing an unidentified league source, the Daily News reported on its Web site that Wilkens’ successor would be Herb Williams, who guided the club for one game a year ago in the interim between Don Chaney’s firing and the hiring of Wilkens.
Grizzlies announcer dies
Don Poier, the longtime voice of the Memphis Grizzlies, died suddenly Friday, hours before the team was to play the Denver Nuggets. He was 53.
A Grizzlies spokeswoman said the cause of death was not known.
Poier, who was sports director at KREM-TV in Spokane before leaving in December 1977 for a similar position at KCRA-TV in Sacramento, was the voice of the Grizzlies since their inception in 1995, when they played in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Rockets 92, Knicks 91: At New York, Scott Padgett hit an off-balance one-hander from just inside the free-throw line at the buzzer to give Houston the victory over slumping New York. Tracy McGrady scored 35 points, six on two 3-pointers in Houston’s 13-0 run at the start of the second half.
Spurs 128, Suns 123 (OT): At Phoenix, Manu Ginobili scored a career-high 48 points as San Antonio rallied from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit to hand Phoenix its sixth consecutive loss. Steve Nash of the Suns had 16 points and 13 assists in 46 minutes after missing the last 3 1/2 games with injuries.
Pacers 106, Heat 100 (OT): At Miami, Jamaal Tinsley scored 30 points, including a jumper to force overtime, and Reggie Miller hit a pair of 3-pointers in the extra session to help Indiana defeat Miami.
Bucks 89, Pistons 86: At Milwaukee, Mike James scored 20 points and Milwaukee beat Detroit when Richard Hamilton missed a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Lakers 105, Warriors 101: At Los Angeles, Chucky Atkins had 26 points and 10 assists to lead Los Angeles to victory over Golden State.
Nets 104, Celtics 98: At East Rutherford, N.J., New Jersey posted a season-high third straight win by dispatching Boston. Vince Carter had 25 points despite playing in foul trouble.
Mavericks 105, Bobcats 99: At Charlotte, N.C., Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points apiece to lead Dallas past Charlotte for its fourth consecutive victory.
Wizards 118, Raptors 109: At Washington, D.C., Antawn Jamison had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Juan Dixon scored 26 as Washington beat Toronto in one of its best wins of the season.
Nuggets 92, Grizzlies 82: At Denver, Earl Boykins had another big game, finishing with 25 points and a season-high 10 assists in a win over Memphis.
Bulls 95, Hawks 85: Kirk Hinrich had 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Antonio Davis added a season-high 17 points to lead Chicago to a home victory over Atlanta.
Around the league
Portland waived suspended forward Qyntel Woods after he pleaded guilty to first-degree misdemeanor animal abuse for mistreating his pit bull. … Indiana forward Ron Artest will return to practice next week for the first time since being suspended for the remainder of the season after fighting with Detroit fans on Nov. 19. … Injured Kobe Bryant remains uncertain when he will play for the Lakers again.