Iverson Injury Mystery to 76ers

Allen Iverson sat out the final three quarters Friday night under mysterious circumstances, then said he was doubtful for games Sunday and Tuesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers said he was hurt, but something seemed amiss between Iverson and his coach.

“I’m the coach and I have the right to play a guy or not play a guy,” Philadelphia Coach Larry Brown said after the 76ers lost, 85-80, to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia. “I’ve got to find out who’s ready to play and who wants to play.”

Brown did not refer to Iverson by name, but said, “I think mature guys who care about their teams step up. I don’t think we have that maturity yet.”

The latest episode involving Iverson, the NBA’s leading scorer, began when he was called back from the scorer’s table by Brown midway through the second quarter. Iverson had shot 0 for seven in the first quarter.

When asked why he had pulled him back, Brown answered emphatically: “He said he was hurt, so he didn’t play.”

The official word from the 76ers was that Iverson re-injured his right quadriceps.

Shawn Kemp had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who opened a big first-half lead and held on. Wesley Person had 16 points and Derek Anderson added 12 points for Cleveland.

Orlando 115, Chicago 68--Penny Hardaway scored 24 points and Dominique Wilkins had a season-high 19 at Chicago as the Magic sent the once-proud and now embarrassing Bulls to their worst defeat ever.

The Magic didn’t even need leading scorer Nick Anderson, who was sidelined because of a hamstring injury. Orlando led, 64-38, at the half and then scored the first 14 points of the second half.

Portland 107, Seattle 95--Isaiah Rider, back from a one-game suspension, scored 13 of his 23 points in the first quarter for the Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points and Arvydas Sabonis added 14 points and 12 rebounds for Portland, which had lost five consecutive games to the SuperSonics and 11 of 13.

Milwaukee 84, Boston 83--Dell Curry hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds left and Antoine Walker ruined a productive night by missing a layup with six seconds left as the Bucks edged the Celtics at Boston.

Atlanta 84, Vancouver 81--Dikembe Mutombo scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and Tyrone Corbin hit two key three-pointers as the Hawks held off the Grizzlies at Atlanta.

Minnesota 107, Denver 88--Terrell Brandon dominated the third quarter for the second consecutive game, scoring 15 of his 21 points to lead the Timberwolves at Minneapolis.

Utah 92, Golden State 85--Karl Malone scored 23 points and Bryon Russell had 20 at Oakland as the Jazz defeated the Warriors for the 10th consecutive time.

Indiana 87, Charlotte 81--The Pacers, who had lost their last three games by a point, limited the Hornets to 34 second-half points at Charlotte, N.C.

Around the League

The Atlanta Hawks placed guard Steve Smith on the injured list because of a sprained left knee. Smith suffered the injury Thursday in a second-quarter collision with New Jersey Net forward Keith Van Horn. Smith probably will be out of action seven to 10 days, Hawk spokesman Arthur Triche said. . . .Bruce Bowen, who broke his right index finger Wednesday in the Celtics’ loss to the Detroit Pistons, was put on the injured list. Center Eric Riley was activated from the injured list to take Bowen’s place on Boston’s roster. . . .A plate and five screws were inserted into New Jersey Net center Jayson Williams’ right leg. He will wear a brace and will not be able to put weight on the leg for 10 weeks. Williams broke his leg in a collision with teammate Stephon Marbury late in the Nets’ victory over the Hawks Thursday.