Houston’s Max Stays Forever Mad

Houston’s Vernon Maxwell charged into the stands and punched a fan in the third quarter of the Rockets’ game against the Trail Blazers on Monday night in Portland, according to the fan and his brother.

Maxwell, teammate Robert Horry and assistant coach Larry Smith all were thrown out of the game for going into the stands. The incident occurred with 3:33 to play in the third quarter and Portland leading 79-52.

Earlier in the third period, Houston’s Otis Thorpe and Portland’s Chris Dudley were thrown out of the game after an altercation.

The fan who said he was hit identified himself as Steve George. His brother, Nick, said he and others in the section had been riding Maxwell throughout the game.

The brothers were then ushered away by security personnel to take a statement on the incident.

Fox not feeling too wily

Boston Celtics forward Rick Fox likely will miss at least one more game because of a bruised ankle.

He was injured during Saturday night’s game against the New Jersey Nets. The bone bruise to the right ankle was diagnosed Monday by team physician Arnold Scheller.

The Celtics said he will rejoin the team after the All-Star break on Monday for a five-game road trip starting in Sacramento.

Riley in accident

At Los Angeles, Clippers’ center Eric Riley was hurt in a car accident and placed on the team’s injured reserve list, team officials said.