NBA
Notebook: Knicks keep Kurt Thomas with extension

By Seattle Times news services

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NEW YORK — Kurt Thomas signed a multi-year contract extension with the New York Knicks yesterday.

The eight-year veteran, who plays center and forward, has averaged 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in six seasons with the Knicks. He is averaging 14.3 points and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds for New York, which is 29-36 after last night's 87-84 loss to the Boston Celtics.

"Rewarding Kurt for his hard work and devotion to the organization is the reason we have given him this extension," said Isiah Thomas, the Knicks' president of basketball operations.

Memphis center out two weeks

Memphis Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright will miss at least two weeks with a sprained right knee.

Wright was placed on the injured list Saturday, three days after injuring his knee at Portland. He must sit out at least five games on the injured list and will be examined by team doctors next week, the Grizzlies said.

The 6-foot-11 Wright is averaging 9.4 points and 7.0 rebounds this season. He has started 44 of 57 games he has played.

Bryant prosecutors argue

against releasing records

DENVER — Medical records for the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape should not be given to the Los Angeles Laker's attorneys because they are irrelevant to the case and the woman has not consented to their release, prosecutors argued in court papers released yesterday.
 
The papers also said there's no legal precedent requiring doctors to turn over such records.

State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle has not said when he will rule on the matter.

The woman is scheduled to appear at a hearing March 24-25 where the judge will consider whether evidence of other sexual activity around the time of her encounter with Bryant can be used against her.

Brandon makes retirement official

PORTLAND, Ore. — Former NBA All-Star Terrell Brandon was surrounded by his family and friends at his retail store in Portland when he formally, and tearfully, announced his retirement yesterday.

Brandon, 33, called it quits after missing most of the past three seasons with knee injuries. He had already discussed his retirement after a trade last summer sent him from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Atlanta Hawks, a deal that was purely financial.

Brandon, a 5-foot-11 point guard who grew up in Portland and played his college ball at Oregon, was waived by the Hawks on Feb. 19.

Brandon averaged 13.8 points and 6.1 assists per game with Cleveland, Milwaukee and Minnesota. However, he often was plagued by injuries. His last NBA game came with the Timberwolves in February 2001.

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