Wednesday, February 7, 2007

All-star G Steve Nash missed the Suns' game at the Trail Blazers last night because of inflammation in his right shoulder.

The NBA's two-time defending MVP didn't play in the second half of Phoenix's 113-108 victory in Denver on Monday night.

Nash, who is averaging career highs of 19.3 points and an NBA-leading 11.8 assists per game, said he first felt soreness in the shoulder on Thursday, and it has worsened since.

· PIERCE STILL OUT: Celtics G-F Paul Pierce, who has missed 22 games, was sent home from Detroit yesterday because of swelling in his left elbow and a low-grade fever.

Pierce hasn't played since Dec. 20. Doctors discovered a stress reaction in his left foot, and he only recently resumed light practicing.

Pierce went with the team to Detroit, but he was not expected to play against the Pistons.

· FINE, NOT DANDY: The Bulls fined F Tyrus Thomas$10,000 yesterday, one day after the rookie said he only was interested in the money for the NBA's slam dunk contest.

Thomas was quoted in yesterday's editions of the Chicago Tribune as saying, "I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day."

When asked if being around some of the game's greats could be beneficial for a rookie, Thomas responded: "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."

· DRIBBLES: The Bulls likely will be without F Andres Nocioni (plantar fasciitis) until after the all-star break. . . . Bucks reserve C Dan Gadzuric dislocated his left shoulder on Saturday night against the Heat and will miss six weeks.

-- From News Services