Newsmakers

Fined The NBA has fined Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson $25,000 for an outburst at a referee in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Miami. The Heat were well on their way to a 115-78 victory when Gibson went off at an official early in the fourth quarter. With 10:13 remaining, he did not leave the court in a timely fashion after he and teammate Joakim Noah were ejected by referee Scott Foster. Gibson continued to shout at Foster.

• New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been fined $5,000 by the NBA for a flop during Game 1 of their playoff series against Indiana. Smith was defending Pacers guard Lance Stephenson when he ran into a pick set by David West. Smith fell to the court and threw his arms up, fooling the referee into believing it was much more severe than it really was.

Signed The Arizona Cardinals have signed free-agent linebacker Karlos Dansby to a one-year contract. Dansby was drafted by Arizona in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft and played six seasons for the Cardinals. He started 83 games and had 25.5 sacks with 10 interceptions. Dansby spent the past three seasons with Miami and led the Dolphins with a career-high 133 tackles, including one sack, in 2012.

• The New York Giants have signed linebacker Aaron Curry, hoping the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft can reinvent himself after showing little while playing with Seattle and Oakland in what has been a disappointing career. Curry, signed to a six-year, $60 million contract with the Seahawks, lasted little more than two seasons with Seattle before being traded to Oakland..

Hired The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Sam Hinkie as team president and general manager. Hinkie, a former Houston Rockets assistant general manager, was the top choice by owner Joshua Harris to oversee the rebuilding of the beleaguered franchise. Tony DiLeo is out after one full season as Sixers general manager.

Sidelined The New Orleans Pelicans say guard Eric Gordon has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. The NBA club says the procedure, performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, was aimed at alleviating pain caused by scar tissue. Gordon is expected to begin rehabilitation immediately and return to basketball later this summer.

Named Three top NHL players are finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and John Tavares of the New York Islanders are vying for the award. The Hart Trophy is awarded annually to the player most valuable to his team. The winner will be announced during the Stanley Cup Final.