Mutombo's Wrist Injury Adds to Nets' Concerns

Liz Robbins of the New York Times reports that The Nets are in a bit of a tail spin. They have lost the first two games of their four-game west coast trip and now Dikembe Mutombo has injured the wrist of his shooting hand.

The injury was suffered in the third quarter of the Nets' 126-118 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. X-rays were negative, but he has been listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Trail Blazers. On Friday Nets' president, Rod Thorn, said: "It's real sore today. As to whether he can play tomorrow, we'll just have to see."

Mutombo injured the wrist with six minutes to play in the third quarter when, driving to the basket, the Clippers' Eric Piatkowski slapped him and the ball. On the following defensive sequence, Mutombo motioned for Scott to take him out. He went to the locker room and had the wrist taped. Even though Mutombo played 11 minutes in the fourth quarter and all of the overtime period with the injury, he was in obvious pain afterward.

With the loss, the Nets dropped to 10-6 and are losing any positive momentum they have built up this early in the season. "It's the same situation we had last year with games on the West Coast and we lost four in a row," Coach Byron Scott said. "We're headed that way now."

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New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers

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On defense, Hilario stands up to Duncan

Aaron Lopez of the Rocky Mountain News reports on the strides Nene Hilario is making in the NBA. He had a tough assignment last night on Tim Duncan. Tonight, he draws last years MVP again.

Lopez reports on Juwan Howard for Scottie Pippen trade rumors! Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe refused to comment, but Howard and Pippen are in the final season of contracts that pay them $20.5 and $15.8 million respectively.

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Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

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Blazers' Patterson arrested for assault

The Associated Press reports that Ruben Patterson is the latest Portland Trail Blazer to be arrested. Patterson was charged Monday night with a felony domestic assault charge.

The five-year veteran was taken into custody after his wife called 911 to report that he assaulted her at their home. The couple's children, ages 2 and 10, were in the house when the alleged assault took place, police said. The presence of the children is enough to boost the reported incident from a misdemeanor to a felony under Oregon law, a police spokesman said.

Patterson was released when teammate Derek Anderson posted $1,000 bail.

Patterson’s wife, Shannon later released a statement through Ruben’s agent, Dan Fegan.

"I made a statement that was accurate, but in the heat of the moment was incomplete,'' Shannon Patterson said. "Ruben and I had a disagreement this evening. I want the public to know that Ruben did not assault me. I love my husband, and this is a private family matter. I'm embarrassed that it became public and this is something we are working out privately. I respectfully request that we be allowed to do so.''

Police spokesman Sgt. Doug Nafziger said Patterson could face one to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.

Patterson will be arraigned on December 6th, the same day fellow Blazers Damon Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace are scheduled to appear in court on drug charges.

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Portland Trail Blazers

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