Injuries Cast Pall On Rockets
Around the NBA
The Houston Rockets learned Tuesday that injuries will sideline All-Stars Charles Barkley for 10 days and Clyde Drexler for two games.
Drexler became the third Rockets player chosen to the Western Conference All-Star team Tuesday, joining starters Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. No other team has more than two players.
But their health may determine if Barkley and Drexler play in the Feb. 9 All-Star Game at Cleveland.
Both players were injured in Saturday night’s game against Utah. Drexler injured his right hamstring and Barkley re-injured his right ankle.
“It’s been a terrible time for me,” Barkley said. “I talked them into playing last week and that was my mistake.”
O’Neal joins subs
For the first time in his five years in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal will be starting an All-Star Game on the bench.
O’Neal was a four-time starter for the Eastern Conference when he was with the Orlando Magic. Now, he is among seven reserves chosen by the Western Conference coaches.
The Los Angeles Lakers center trails only Chicago’s Michael Jordan in scoring. O’Neal is No. 3 in blocks and No. 4 in both rebounding and field-goal percentage.
The Nos. 3, 4 and 5 scorers - Karl Malone of Utah, Latrell Sprewell of Golden State and Mitch Richmond of Sacramento - also were picked for the West team. The other West reserves are Clyde Drexler of Houston, Tom Gugliotta of Minnesota and NBA steals leader Eddie Jones of the Lakers.
The East reserves are Vin Baker of Milwaukee, Terrell Brandon of Cleveland, Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning of Miami, Dikembe Mutombo and Christian Laettner of Atlanta and Glen Rice of Charlotte.
Notes
Derrick Coleman returned to the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday, but he wasn’t eager to talk about his unexcused weekend absence in his hometown of Detroit… . Teammate Allen Iverson was hospitalized for a short time because of a stomach virus, but he is expected to play tonight against Toronto… . New Jersey starting point guard Robert Pack missed his fourth straight game with a sprained left ankle.
On the court
Doug Christie tied a career high with 33 points while leading Toronto past Portland Tuesday… . The New Jersey Nets had the worst scoring night in their 21-year NBA history, tallying only 62 points in a lopsided loss to Cleveland… . Glen Rice made a pair of foul shots with 4 seconds left, sealing Charlotte’s triumph over Indiana… . Jeff Hornacek had 10 of his 27 points during a 19-6 third-quarter run as Utah beat Denver… . Mitch Richmond had 28 points and nine assists as Sacramento rallied to beat Minnesota… . Mookie Blaylock scored 34 points and tied a career-high with seven 3-pointers as Atlanta defeated the Los Angeles Clippers.