BasketBall Connect

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2009 - The WNBA is in active discussions with potential investors to relocate the Sacramento Monarchs to the Bay Area in time for the start of the 2010 WNBA season, league President Donna Orender announced today. Going forward, Maloof Sports & Entertainment will no longer operate the Monarchs. <p> “The Bay Area has been a desirable market for the WNBA and the availability of the Monarchs provides an opportunity to move a well-known franchise and broaden its fan base within Northern California,” said Orender. “Maloof Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Monarchs, has deemed it essential to focus all of its resources on the Sacramento Kings at this time. We understand this decision was a difficult one for them and appreciate the vision, leadership, and support of the Maloof family over the past 10 years. <p> “The Maloofs have shown a passion for women's basketball and seen the WNBA as great entertainment that has a positive impact on the way society views women and sports. They take great pride in the Monarchs' players, both for their contributions on the court and in the Sacramento community.” <p> One of the league's original eight teams in 1997, the Monarchs won the WNBA championship in 2005 and the Western Conference crown in 2006. Featuring former Stanford player and WNBA All-Star Nicole Powell, Olympic gold-medalist and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson, and Piedmont, Calif. standout Courtney Paris, the team also holds the second pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. <p> “We enjoyed our time with the WNBA and the Monarchs,” said co-owner Joe Maloof. “We are extremely proud of an amazing run that included six straight playoff appearances and the 2005 WNBA Championship. All of our resources are now dedicated to bringing the Sacramento Kings back to championship caliber form.”

With two roster spots available to fill, the Miami Heat are on the cusp of signing former Siena shooting guard Kenny Hasbrouck, a deal that could be done as early as Monday.

Jermaine O'Neal has been ejected from the Miami Heat's game against Philadelphia after grabbing Samuel Dalembert's face.

Center Mehmet Okur and forward Andrei Kirilenko were missing from Utah's starting lineup Sunday night as the Jazz played a key game for playoff positioning at Oklahoma City.

Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley is sitting out his second game in a row because of a bruised left thigh.

Orlando small forward Matt Barnes will miss the Magic's game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday with a sprained left big toe.

Boston's Glen Davis denies he intentionally tried to hurt Shaquille O'Neal in a game earlier this season, calling the accusations "crazy."

Pacers point guard T.J. Ford is expected to miss seven to 10 days with a sore left groin.

Hornets forward James Posey did not travel with the team to Phoenix on Saturday and will miss Sunday night's game against the Suns.

The Spurs have signed rookie guard Garrett Temple to a 10-day contract.

Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls has been suspended one game without pay for making contact with a game official and, in a separate incident, Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry has been fined $25,000 for improper conduct towards a game official and for not leaving the court in a timely manner following his ejection, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison is expecting to play Sunday when Cleveland hosts the Boston Celtics in a game between division leaders.

The Charlotte Bobcats signed veteran guard Larry Hughes to help with depth in the backcourt as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time.

Rafer Alston's season with the Miami Heat is officially over.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has been deactivated for the game against San Antonio on Friday night because of a sprained left foot.

Heat forward Michael Beasley missed Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls with a bruised left thigh.

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks says rookie guard James Harden will miss two to four weeks with a strained right hamstring.

Add Derrick Rose to what's nearly become an epidemic of medical problems for the Chicago Bulls, all coming at the worst possible time of the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing the previous two with an injured right ankle.

Hornets forward James Posey has been scratched from New Orleans' game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.