Swift will miss year
Seattle SuperSonics center Robert Swift, who won the starting job with his defense and hustle in the preseason, will miss the entire regular season after tearing the ACL in his right knee.
Swift was injured early in Wednesday night’s exhibition game against Sacramento. He left the arena on crutches and underwent an MRI exam on Thursday. Additional testing by team physicians Friday morning confirmed the injury.
Surgery hasn’t been scheduled, but Swift is expected to be out for eight to nine months.
The Sonics lost Swift only 1 minute, 17 seconds into the game against Sacramento when he went out of bounds awkwardly in front of Seattle’s bench. He was taken immediately to the locker room and did not return.
Johan Petro is now expected to be the starter with rookie Mouhamed Sene as his backup.
“SuperSonics forward Danny Fortson was suspended for a game by the NBA for his flagrant foul on Ron Artest against Sacramento.
Fortson will serve his suspension when the Sonics open the season on Wednesday against Portland.
Morrison can’t help Bobcats
Former Gonzaga University player Adam Morrison shot 4 for 11 from the field for 10 points in Charlotte’s 105-94 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bobcats finished the preseason tied for the fewest wins in the NBA with a record of 2-6.
Grant ends long career
Brian Grant retired from the NBA because of chronic knee problems.
Grant spent 12 seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.
“I just decided it was time to hang it up. I really wasn’t able to perform over the past few years like I was the first 10 years,” he said. “It was time.”
Grant, who played at Xavier, was the eighth overall selection in the 1994 draft by the Kings. As a rookie, he averaged 13.2 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Over his career, Grant averaged 10.5 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Shinn sells New Orleans home
New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn, who last year bought a home in Oklahoma City after his team was temporarily displaced there by Hurricane Katrina, is selling his downtown New Orleans penthouse.
The 3,726-square-foot property across from Lafayette Square is being listed for $2.2 million.
Shinn bought the property in September 2003. It is only blocks away from the New Orleans Arena, where the Hornets, still based in Oklahoma, will play six games this season before their planned full-time return the following season.
Hornets spokesman Michael Thompson said Shinn still plans to live in New Orleans.