Miami's Williams Cuts Finger While Lifting Weights

Miami point guard Jason Williams was on the inactive list for Thursday night's game against Phoenix, after cutting his right ring finger in a weightlifting mishap.

Williams needed six stitches to close the gash, which occurred Wednesday when he was working with a dumbbell. He's also been bothered throughout the season by knee tendinitis, which kept him out of Miami's other game against Phoenix this season -- a 111-93 road loss earlier this month. It's the 12th time Williams has been on the inactive list this season, but the Heat apparently didn't expect him to be sidelined against the Suns. He was listed among the team's starters 90 minutes before gametime.

"He is vital and when we see him at his best ... then we're a very explosive team," Heat coach Pat Riley said, when asked before the game if he was concerned that the knee problems would limit Williams' availability for a four-game, five-night stretch that began Thursday.

Via AP

Miami Heat

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

Heat Recall Wright And Barron From D-League

The Miami Heat announced today that Dorell Wright and Earl Barron have been recalled from the Florida Flame of the NBA Development League. The two were assigned to the Heat’s D-League affiliate on January 3, helping the team to a 4-2 record in that time.

Wright appeared in six games for the Flame, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20.7 minutes per game, while shooting 51.6 percent from the field. He recorded a team-high 32 points off the bench for the Flame, while shooting 15-for-22 from the field, and grabbed nine rebounds in 32 minutes on January 13 against the Roanoke Dazzle.

Via Press Release

Miami Heat

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

Russell's Advice Led To Shaq-Kobe Peace Offering

Shaquille O'Neal got the word from Hall of Famer Bill Russell to make peace with Kobe Bryant, just as Russell once did with Wilt Chamberlain.

O'Neal followed Russell's advice.

Bryant then went out and scored 12 of his 37 points in the last 8½ minutes to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 100-92 victory over O'Neal and the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Bryant said O'Neal first approached him while he was stretching before the game and congratulated him on the birth of his daughter and the impending birth of a second child.

"It made me feel good," Bryant said, adding he was surprised at O'Neal's gesture. "We've been through so many wars together. Now, just be able to move on, try to do the best for this team, wish him the best in South Beach.

"I think it's good for the city of Los Angeles, good for the NBA, good for the youth, being Martin Luther King Day."

After the initial contact, they shook hands, embraced briefly and exchanged a few words at center court when the team captains and game officials met before the game. They exchanged another hug before the opening tipoff as the fans at the Staples Center voiced their approval.

"I had orders from the great Bill Russell," O'Neal said. "Me and him were talking in Seattle the other day, and he was telling me how rivalries should be. I asked him if he ever disliked anybody he played against, and he told me, 'No, never,' and he told that I should shake Kobe Bryant's hand and let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet.

"Today is a day of peace. Dr. Martin Luther King was an ambassador of peace. So when I talked to Mr. Russell, he told me he said that him and Chamberlain spoke once or twice a week before he passed away. And even though people thought they hated each other, there was nothing but love there."

Via ESPN

Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets