Harbaugh’s status up in the air
UNDATED (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers expect their coach to be back with the team today, but they don’t know how much he’ll be able to contribute to preparations for Monday night’s NFC showdown with Chicago. Jim Harbaugh underwent what the team describes as a “minor procedure” yesterday, aimed at correcting an irregular heartbeat.
Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Brad Seely oversaw team meetings and the afternoon practice on Thursday and will be interim coach if Harbaugh isn’t able to return to the sidelines for the Bears game.
Knicks’ road test continues
UNDATED (AP) — One night after facing and beating a one-loss team in San Antonio, the unbeaten Knicks face the same task tonight in Memphis. The Grizzlies have run off six straight wins after losing their season opener. New York is off to a 6-0 start.
Also tonight in the NBA, the 1-8 Detroit Pistons will be hunting a second straight W when they face a visiting Orlando club that’s lost five in a row after a 2-0 start, Philadelphia is home to Utah, Dallas plays at Indiana, Minnesota hosts Golden State, New Orleans entertains Oklahoma City, Portland is home to Houston, Atlanta visits Sacramento and the L.A. Lakers host Phoenix.
Mike D’Antoni was introduced as the Lakers’ new head coach yesterday but isn’t expected to be on the bench until Sunday’s game against the visiting Houston Rockets. He’s still on crutches after recently undergoing knee surgery. The Lakers have won two of three under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff and are 3-5 on the season
Bears meet Buffaloes in South Carolina
UNDATED (AP) — Baylor’s basketball team will be the first of seven Top 25 teams to take the court today. The 16th-ranked Bears take on revenge-minded Colorado in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic (12:30 p.m. Eastern). Baylor knocked the Buffaloes out of last season’s NCAA tournament in the round of 32.
The Bears beat Boston College 84-74 yesterday and Colorado advanced with a 67-57 win over Dayton.
Bettman floating 2-week break from talks
TORONTO (AP) — Negotiations had already hit a wall in the ongoing hockey labor fight, and now the NHL has suggested the sides take an official two-week break before getting back to the bargaining table.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman floated the idea of a break to players’ association executive director Donald Fehr (feer). The union hasn’t responded to the league yet.
The hockey lockout is entering its third month.