NEW YORK — The NBA is instituting a policy regarding Twitter and other social media sites, banning players from using them during games.
The league sent a memo to teams Wednesday, telling them that cellphones and other communication devices can’t be used from 45 minutes before game time until after players have finished their responsibilities after games. That includes halftime. The rule applies to “coaches, players and other team basketball operations personnel.”
The memo does not specify penalties for violation of the rule, and says teams are free to create their own policies for practices and other team events. The NBA has more than 1.4 million followers on Twitter, and many players are active on it.
• New York Knicks center Eddy Curry will have blood drained from a torn right calf muscle and is expected to miss three to five days.
• Golden State Warriors guard C.J. Watson will miss one to three weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right knee.
• Sacramento Kings rookie point guard Tyreke Evans, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, has a bruised left knee and is day to day.
Binghamton AD resigns
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Binghamton athletic director Joel Thirer resigned following the dismissal of six basketball players last week.
Star player Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben was arraigned last Thursday on cocaine distribution charges and kicked off the team. Five other players were also released last week.
School officials wouldn’t discuss the reasons behind the releases.
• University of New Mexico administrators have opened an investigation into a fight where football coach Mike Locksley struck an assistant, and the first-year coach could face suspension or firing. “It has been given a high priority,” a university spokeswoman said.
• Iowa State wide receiver Darius Reynolds, the team’s second- leading receiver, will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right ankle during practice.
Honda Award finalists set
LOS ANGELES — Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore are finalists for the 2009 Honda player of the year award that honors the best performer on the U.S. national soccer team.
The 27-year-old Donovan, who plays midfield and forward, is a five-time winner of the award and a seven-time finalist. Goalkeeper Howard, 30, is a finalist for the third year in a row. Altidore, a 19-year-old forward, is a first-time finalist.
• Jeff Cunningham scored his MLS-leading 16th goal of the season in the 71st minute to help FC Dallas beat the New England Revolution 1-0 at the Cotton Bowl.
Footnotes.
Daniel Porter ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns as host Louisiana Tech snapped Hawaii’s streak of 62 games with a touchdown in a 27-6 win.
• Rafael Nadal has recovered from an abdominal injury and made himself available for Spain’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in December.
• Ferrari signed Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula One world champion, to replace Kimi Raikkonen starting next season.
