NBA
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said Sunday he’s preparing to play the rest of the regular season and playoffs without injured star Dwight Howard, who missed his fourth straight game with a back injury against the Cavaliers. Howard was diagnosed with a herniated disk last week. Howard will rest the injury for 10 days and then be reevaluated. Van Gundy said that he would consider it a bonus if Howard or forward Hedo Turkoglu, who is sidelined with a facial fracture, return this season. “We’re approaching it that the 13 [healthy] guys we have now are who we’re going to have the rest of the season and in the playoffs,’’ Van Gundy said. Before this season, Howard had only missed two games in his career because of injury. Howard is averaging 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds. Orlando clinched a playoff spot by beating Cleveland. The Magic are 2-4 without their standout center.
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Baseball
Giants’ Wilson expects elbow surgery
San Francisco closer Brian Wilson said he will probably have elbow reconstruction surgery, ending his season after only two appearances and one save. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list, clearing space for Ryan Vogelsong to come off the DL. Wilson has no regrets about how many times he pitched during the Giants’ 2010 World Series title run. “Absolutely not,’’ he said. “That’s how I play baseball. Push it to the limits.’’ An MRI showed the structural damage. Wilson plans to seek at least one other opinion and probably two, including from renowned orthopedist James Andrews, who performs Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgeries. Wilson already had the surgery during college . . . Jury selection is set to begin in the retrial of Roger Clemens. Clemens is back in court nine months after the first attempt by the government to prove that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner lied when he denied using steroids and human growth hormone before Congress in 2008. Only two witnesses had been called last July when US District Judge Reggie Walton declared a mistrial. US sentencing guidelines suggest Clemens would receive up to 15 to 21 months in prison if found guilty on all six counts . . . The Indians are expected to officially sign outfielder Johnny Damon to a minor league contract Monday after he passes a physical . . . An MRI on Minnesota righthander Nick Blackburn’s shoulder revealed no damage, and the Twins expect him to make his next start.
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NHL
Rangers’ Hagelin suspended 3 games
New York forward Carl Hagelin was suspended for three games by the NHL for elbowing Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson in the head in New York’s loss in Game 2 of the first-round Eastern Conference series. Hagelin apologized earlier Sunday, after a telephone hearing with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, and hoped to avoid punishment beyond the major penalty he served Saturday night. In announcing Hagelin’s suspension, the NHL noted that Alfredsson, who has a concussion history, was injured on the play, which likely was a major factor in the stiff penalty. There was no update on Alfredsson’s playing status. “I sent him a text [Saturday] and said I’m sorry and very regretful for what happened,’’ Hagelin said. “I never want to hurt anyone on the ice. That’s not the type of player I am. I’ve never had a major before. Especially being Alfredsson, growing up he’s been a hero back home. He’s been one of my favorite players.’’ Ottawa defenseman Matt Carkner was given a one-game suspension for his role in a fight he started against unwilling Rangers forward Brian Boyle. Carkner was ejected.
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Miscellany
Pitino’s son to replace Thomas at FIU
Rick Pitino said his son Richard Pitino is leaving his staff at Louisville to become the next men’s basketball coach at Florida International. At FIU, Richard Pitino would replace Basketball Hall of Fame player Isiah Thomas, who was fired April 6 after going 26-65 in three seasons . . . Juan Monaco defeated John Isner, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, in the final match of the US Clay Court Championship in Houston . . . A league source told ESPN that former Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills receiver Lee Evans will sign a one-year deal with Jacksonville . . . Former Chicago Bear David Terrell is being held on $10,000 bond for a domestic battery charge . . . Officials say two Western Kentucky football players are recovering after being shot Saturday night outside a bar. A statement from the school’s athletic department said Tevin Holliman and Ricardo Singh were each shot once, but are expected to survive . . . Logan Pause scored for Chicago and Will Bruin for Houston as the Fire tied the Dynamo, 1-1, in a match shortened to 66 minutes because of lightning . . . The head of British horse racing, Paul Bittar, insisted the Grand National can never be risk-free and warned against any knee-jerk reaction in the wake of two horses dying for the second straight year in the world’s most grueling jumps race.
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