Kings forward Chris Webber was suspended for eight games: five for violating the NBA's drug policy and three for pleading guilty to lying to a grand jury.
Webber was activated from the injured list on Monday, but the punishments will delay his return for at least two more weeks.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Webber will be eligible to return for the Kings' home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 2. His suspension began with Tuesday's home game against Boston.
"I'm disappointed that this happened to affect the team the way that it is," Webber said in brief comments to reporters Tuesday. "My only hope and desire is to get back out on the court, and now that I know the day, I can't wait."
Webber's much-anticipated suspension was the final development in a tumultuous week for the league-leading Kings, who also lost center Brad Miller for at least four games when he sprained his foot during the All-Star game.
"It's not an ideal situation to have two of your top big guys out, but the schedule isn't going to stop for us," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Other guys will have an opportunity to step up for Brad. When Chris gets back, we'll just be that much better."
Webber was the Kings' leader in scoring, rebounding and assists last season, but he hasn't played since tearing cartilage in his left knee during the second round of last season's playoffs.
Webber has been practicing with the Kings for several weeks, but he wasn't healthy enough to appear in games. Just 24 games will remain in Sacramento's season when Webber is eligible to return.
Miller's absence is a much bigger concern for the Kings, who lead the league in scoring with more than 105 points per game despite no contribution from Webber. Miller, acquired in an offseason trade with Indiana, has fit seamlessly into Sacramento's up-tempo offense.
But Miller came down awkwardly on Paul Pierce's foot in the third quarter of the All-Star game. He will be re-evaluated after the Kings return from a difficult three-game road trip that ends Sunday in Toronto, but team doctors believe he could miss at least two weeks.
Webber's teammates remained solidly behind the US$127 million power forward, but fans flooded the team's flagship radio station with phone calls expressing the betrayal they felt from Webber's drug suspension. Specific violations of the NBA's drug policy are never revealed, but Webber has been in the NBA's aftercare program.
"I don't think it's a big deal," center Vlade Divac said. "He's going to come back, and he'll help us win when he comes back."
Webber pleaded guilty in July to charges of lying about his relationship with Ed Martin, a University of Michigan booster who claimed he loaned US$280,000 to Webber.
He averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals last season. He is in the third season of a seven-year contract with Sacramento.
Hornets 89, Pacers 75
Jamal Mashburn had 20 points, and Baron Davis added 19 points and eight assists Tuesday to lead the New Orleans Hornets past the Indiana Pacers 89-75.
Robert Traylor had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who outrebounded the lackadaisical Pacers 56-38 and were the aggressors from the opening tip.
The Pacers tied a season low in shooting 33 percent from the floor, including 4-for-22 from 3-point range. Jermaine O'Neal was double-teamed nearly every time he touched the ball, and led Indiana with 17 points.
Knicks 92, Pistons 88
In New York, Stephon Marbury made a clutch 3-pointer with 40 seconds left as New York -- revamped again following the trade of Keith Van Horn and Michael Doleac -- sent Detroit to its sixth consecutive loss.
Marbury finished with 28 points, nine assists and five steals, Penny Hardaway scored 17 and the Knicks outscored the Pistons 15-6 in the final 2:21 to snap a two-game losing streak. New York was again without Allan Houston, whose sore knee kept him on the injured list. He was expected to return after the All-Star break.
Billups had 26 points for the Pistons.
Heat 97, Jazz 85
In Miami, rookie Dwyane Wade scored 31 points as Miami used a big run in the second quarter to beat Utah for only the fourt time in their last 18 meetings.
Rafer Alston and Rasual Butler each made a pair of 3-pointers as the Heat went on a 16-0 burst to take a 39-17 lead. The Jazz never got closer than three the rest of the way.
Wade shot 8-for-13 and made 14 of 17 free throws. Butler added a season-high 15 points in a reserve role and Brian Grant scored 12.
All-Star Andrei Kirilenko scored a career-high 31 points for Utah, which has lost six of its last eight. DeShawn Stevenson added 14 points for the Jazz.
Timberwolves 110, Suns 95
In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 32 points and 14 rebounds for his league-leading 47th double-double to help Minneapolis beat Phoenix and improve to 23 games over .500 (38-15) for the first time in team history.
Fellow All-Star Sam Cassell had 22 points and 10 assists and Latrell Sprewell added 21 points for Minnesota, which has won three straight and 17 of 21 games.
Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points and Joe Johnson added 25 for Phoenix, which has lost six straight games for the third time this season. Shawn Marion finished with 18 points, but shot just 6-for-21.
Bucks 127, Magic 104
In Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 27 points to help Milwaukee overcome Tracy McGrady's 41 and hand Orlando its eighth straight loss.
Keith Van Horn, acquired by the Bucks on Sunday in a three-team trade, passed his physical before the game. But he didn't play, and instead headed back to New York to take care of family matters.
Desmond Mason started in place of Van Horn and scored 13 points. Joe Smith had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Brian Skinner had 16 points and Marcus Haislip added a career-high 13 points in Milwaukee's highest-scoring game of the season.
Grizzlies 109, Mavericks 92
In Memphis, Tennessee, James Posey had 19 points and Stromile Swift added 18 as Memphis beat Dallas for its sixth win in seven games to match its franchise record -- set last season -- with its 20th home win.
Memphis moved nine games over .500 for the first time in franchise history and gave Hubie Brown his 400th win as an NBA coach.
Pau Gasol scored 17, while reserve Earl Watson added 12, and Shane Battier and Jason Williams each had 11 for the Grizzlies. Battier grabbed nine rebounds and Williams had out eight assists.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 24 points, while Michael Finley, who helped a third-quarter spurt for Dallas, finished with 15. Antawn Jamison and Josh Howard had 10 points each, and Howard pulled down 11 rebounds.
Bulls 75, Raptors 73
In Chicago, Jamal Crawford had 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and Eddy Curry added 15 points as Chicago edged Toronto.
Vince Carter had 21 points, and Donyell Marshall -- involved in the blockbuster trade between the two teams on Dec. 1 -- had 10 points and a career-high 24 rebounds for Toronto. However, the Raptors couldn't overcome a 20-point second half deficit.
Toronto got the ball to Carter with five seconds left, but he was closely guarded by Eddie Robinson outside the 3-point line and failed to get a shot off. Robinson deflected the ball while Carter tried to dribble. Carter tried to get the ball back, but stepped out of bounds.
Rockets 107, Wizards 81
In Houston, Jim Jackson scored 17 points and China's Yao Ming had 16 and four blocked shots to help Houston beat Washington for the ninth time in 10 games at home.
Kelvin Cato had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Cuttino Mobley scored 12 for the Rockets. Steve Francis added 11 points and seven assists. Houston is 6-0 when Yao blocks four shots in a game this season.
Nuggets 106, 76ers 85
In Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored nine of his 28 points in a pivotal third quarter as Denver beat Philadelphia for its third straight win.
Nene added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who outscored the 76ers 49-31 in the second half.
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