PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson has left the team once again to be with his 4-year-old daughter, who continues to be plagued by an undisclosed illness, and he is unlikely to return, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Iverson missed the 76ers’ last five games leading into the all-star break almost two weeks ago. Since returning Feb. 16 against the Miami Heat, he has averaged just eight points on 25 percent shooting (7-for-28) in 26.3 minutes a game.
“At this time, we feel that is in the best interest of the Sixers, Allen and his family that he be allowed to deal with a very serious issue that is far greater than the game of basketball,” team president and general manager Ed Stefanski said.
• A league official said the NBA has not threatened to stop a potential reunion between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The Cavaliers traded their longtime center to Washington last week in the three-team deal that brought Antawn Jamison to Cleveland. The Wizards might decide to buy out Ilgauskas, allowing him to become a free agent.
• San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker has a mild strain of his left hip flexor and is day to day.
• Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is day to day because of a sore lower back and abdomen.
• Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams (quadriceps) and forward Andrei Kirilenko (back) are day to day.
Longtime coach stepping down
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State coach Don Meyer said he no longer has the physical or mental energy to run the basketball program at its “highest possible level” and will retire at the end of the season.
Meyer in September 2008 was critically injured in a car accident that later resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. Doctors then discovered he had an inoperable form of cancer.
“It is time for someone with more energy and time available to deal with the unique challenges of a basketball program like Northern State,” Meyer said.
Meyer, 65, is 922-323.
• Texas guard Dogus Balbay will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. He was averaging a team-high 3.9 assists along with 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds.
Footnotes.
Olympic gold medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson injured her knee while skiing in Colorado last month and will be out of competition for about six months.
• Top fuel driver Cory McClenathan and funny car driver Jack Beckman earned victories at the weather-delayed NHRA Arizona Nationals in Chandler.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed tight end Ernest Wilford to a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum of $630,000.
• The New England Patriots put the franchise tag on Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork, providing more time for negotiations toward a long-term contract.
• Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso was suspended for the 2010 season after his arrest Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
• Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo said he will retire after the 2011 season.
The Associated Press
