Milwaukee’s Larry Sanders sidelined about six weeks

Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders will miss approximately six weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb sustained in a fight at a nightclub.

The Bucks said Monday that the surgery was performed by Dr. Curt Crimmins, a hand specialist, at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin. Sanders was involved in the altercation Nov. 3 and hasn’t played since. No charges were filed.

Bobcats’ Clifford returns

Bobcats Coach Steve Clifford returned to the court Monday night, three days after having two stents placed in his heart.

Clifford was given a warm welcome by the home crowd during pregame introductions against the Atlanta Hawks. He said he felt “fine” before the game and is taking every necessary precaution to ensure he’s safe.

“I’m doing exactly what [the doctors] tell me to do,” Clifford said. “I’m going to do a little bit less during the work day, come in just when the team is here. I’m going to work out of the house more, sleep in for a couple of weeks and I think I’ll be good. I’ll be getting checked regularly. I think it’ll be fine.”

Pacers’ Granger expected to practice

The unbeaten Indiana Pacers could soon be getting something the rest of the NBA doesn’t need — more help.

Coach Frank Vogel said Monday he expects injured swingman Danny Granger to do personal workouts Tuesday before returning to practice Wednesday or Thursday. He did not give a timetable for Granger’s return to game action.

Granger missed all but five games last season with a tendon injury in his left knee. He hasn’t played since the preseason because of a strained left calf.

Harden fined for flopping

Houston Rockets guard James Harden was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Monday for violating the league’s anti-flopping rules for the second time this season.

Harden was cited Saturday during the fourth quarter of the Rockets’ 107-94 loss to the Clippers. With the ball in his hands, he fell out of bounds over the baseline while being defended by Blake Griffin, who appeared to barely touch him.