NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony was suspended one game by the NBA on Wednesday for confronting Kevin Garnett after the New York Knicks’ loss to Boston on Monday.
NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony was suspended one game by the NBA on Wednesday for confronting Kevin Garnett after the New York Knicks’ loss to Boston on Monday.
Anthony, who was angry about Garnett’s choice of words during a fourth-quarter altercation, went toward the Celtics’ locker room after the game and later waited for Garnett outside Boston’s team bus.
Anthony didn’t believe he would be suspended because he said he was just looking to talk to Garnett, not fight. But NBA executive vice president of operations Stu Jackson ruled otherwise.
“There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game,” Jackson said in a statement. “Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday’s game and therefore a suspension was warranted.”
Anthony will miss the Knicks’ nationally televised game at Indiana on Thursday and lose about $176,700 of his $19.4 million salary.
Jackson said Anthony confronted Garnett “in the arena tunnel, near the players’ locker rooms, and in the parking garage.” The incident by the bus, with New York police and Knicks coach Mike Woodson nearby, was captured on videotape.
Anthony and Garnett received technical fouls with 9 minutes, 3 seconds remaining in the Celtics’ 102-96 victory, arguing with each other from the baseline to midcourt after a physical exchange on Boston’s previous possession. After the game, Anthony went the wrong direction toward the Celtics’ locker room in hopes of finding Garnett.
On Tuesday, Anthony said he was upset because of what Garnett said though wouldn’t elaborate on what it was.
“There’s certain things that you just don’t say to men, another man,” said Anthony, who is married to actress LaLa Vasquez.
Varejao needs surgery, may miss two months
CLEVELAND — Anderson Varejao’s big body has betrayed him again.
Cleveland’s hustling center needs surgery to repair a muscle that split near his right knee, which could cause him to miss two more months — a major setback for a young Cavaliers team struggling through another miserable season.
The NBA’s leading rebounder, Varejao was injured Dec. 18 against Toronto. The injury was initially diagnosed as only a bruised right knee, but as his symptoms persisted, more tests were performed and revealed a “longitudinal split” between Varejao’s quadriceps and knee.
Varejao will have surgery on Thursday at The Cleveland Clinic, and the team said he will be sidelined a minimum of six to eight weeks. The team said Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., provided a second opinion on the injury.
Kevin Love out eight to 10 weeks with broken right hand
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love will miss the next eight to 10 weeks after needing surgery to repair a right hand that is broken for the second time this season, the team announced on Wednesday.
It’s the latest in a long line of injuries to Minnesota’s key players that have threatened to derail a season which started with postseason aspirations. It’s also the latest chapter in what has been a nightmare season for Love in the first year of the $62 million contract extension he signed last January.
Love missed the first three weeks of the regular season after breaking his right hand in the preseason. He returned faster than most expected, played for about a month and then broke two bones in his shooting hand in a game last week against Denver. The team said a date for the surgery would be announced Thursday.
The timeframe would put Love back on the court possibly around mid-March, about a month before the playoffs begin. The Wolves (16-15) started the day in ninth place in the Western Conference, one spot out of the playoff field.
Love was averaging 18.3 points and 14.0 rebounds after helping Team USA to the gold medal in the London Olympics, but he hasn’t been the same player who emerged as the best power forward in the game last year.
Wizards’ Wall aims for Saturday return from injury
WASHINGTON — John Wall says he’s tired of wearing suits and is ready to put on a jersey — perhaps as soon as this weekend.
The Washington Wizards guard said Wednesday he’ll be ready to make his season debut Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks if he can get through the next couple of days of practice pain-free.
Wall looked in good form at Wednesday’s practice. During a scrimmage, he stripped a player, raced down the right sideline and went high with his left hand for a dunk.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Kentucky has been recovering from a stress injury to his left knee cap, diagnosed in September.
Coach Randy Wittman says doctors need to give the final clearance before Wall can play.