INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The benign growth in LeBron James‘ jaw made for a few nervous days this year for the Cleveland Cavaliers star.
James said Monday he had to wait for biopsy results in January after doctors at the Cleveland Clinic found a growth in the right side of his jaw. James said he trusted his doctors when they told him they didn’t believe the growth was malignant.
“It wasn’t that much of a concern,” James said. “But when it can be cancerous, anything that can be a health hazard should be a concern. But the doctors gave me assurances that they didn’t think it was, and I listened to the professionals.”
The doctors were right. James had surgery to remove it in June, a few days after the Cavaliers’ season ended.
• Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, who averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds last season, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his broken left hand today. He’s expected to be out at least six weeks.
Official: Shock moving to Tulsa
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The WNBA’s Detroit Shock is moving to Tulsa, Okla., according to a team official.
The Shock, which won titles in 2003, 2006 and 2008, lost last month to the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference finals after rallying to earn a playoff spot.
Former Tulsa and Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson is expected to serve as the WNBA team’s coach and general manager.
Johjima opts out of contract
SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima opted out of the final two seasons and $15.8 million of his contract, allowing him to sign with a Japanese team.
Johjima hit .268 in his four seasons with Seattle, with 48 homers and 198 RBIs in 462 games.
• Boston Red Sox coaches Brad Mills and Tim Bogar interviewed with the Houston Astros for their managerial position vacated by the Sept. 21 firing of Cecil Cooper. Mills is a former manager of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (1993-96).
• Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta will get a second interview with the Cleveland Indians for their vacant manager’s job. The Indians fired Eric Wedge in September.
Davies out of intensive care
WASHINGTON — U.S. national soccer team forward Charlie Davies has been moved out of intensive care and is in fair condition as he recovers from serious injuries after a car accident. He will have surgery early next week to repair a broken left elbow and might require operations to repair facial fractures.
• U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu will have surgery Wednesday to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee, an injury sustained during last week’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
Footnotes.
Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic is recovering from surgery to repair his broken right index finger.
• Iowa forward Devon Archie is expected to be sidelined four to seven weeks after injuring his right shoulder in practice.
• World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2, seven KOs) will defend his title in Bern, Germany, on Dec. 12 against American Kevin Johnson (22-0-1).
The Associated Press
