NEW YORK — Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making inappropriate comments toward a fan in a win at Charlotte, N.C.
Iverson made the remarks to the fan with 6.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter during the Pistons’ 90-86 victory over the Bobcats on Saturday.
It’s the second time Iverson has been disciplined since the Pistons acquired him in a trade with Denver on Nov. 3. After skipping Thanksgiving practice, Iverson was fined by the team and benched for the start of Detroit’s next game.
• Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is out of the walking boot, but he’s not quite ready to get back into the lineup.
Ilgauskas he said he’s hoping to return to the practice floor Thursday and possibly play against the Nuggets on Friday.
• Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace has left the team to attend funeral services for his father.
Sundin’s return draws near
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Free-agent center Mats Sundin is expected to announce Thursday whether he’ll play for the New York Rangers or Vancouver Canucks.
• Minnesota Wild right wing Marian Gaborik (lower body) declared himself “good to go” to face the Calgary Flames tonight and, pending final consultation with coach Jacques Lemaire, will appear in a game for the first time since Oct. 14.
• Buffalo Sabres defenseman Craig Rivet (shoulder) and rookie forward Nathan Gerbe (upper body) will each miss about two weeks because of injuries.
Footnotes.
Shortstop Rafael Furcal is close to accepting a $30 million, three-year offer to return to the Atlanta Braves.
• The Baltimore Orioles signed shortstop Cesar Izturis to a $5 million, two-year contract.
• Speedy outfielder Joey Gathright and the Chicago Cubs agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract.
• The United States will play its home World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Feb. 11 in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Soccer Federation still must pick venues for its four other home qualifiers.
• Lance Armstrong‘s comeback race — the Tour Down Under in Australia in January — will be televised in the United States on Versus.
• Bill Bayno, 45, has been sidelined as Loyola Marymount’s basketball coach because of what he says is “a serious medical condition” related to job stress. Assistant Max Good will coach the Lions (0-10) in Bayno’s absence.
• Kansas junior guard Mario Little will miss two to four weeks after breaking his left hand at practice.
• Sigi Schmid was named the first coach of the Seattle Sounders FC three weeks after leading the Columbus Crew to the Major League Soccer championship.
• The World Boxing Council has opened an investigation of Shane Mosley after recent reports he testified under oath to taking performance-enhancing drugs in the lead-up to his 2003 title fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
• The World Rally Championship lost one-third of its teams within 24 hours when Subaru announced it was following Suzuki out of the competition.
The Associated Press
