Mike D’Antoni joins Philadelphia 76ers as associate head coach

The one-win Philadelphia 76ers hired veteran NBA coach Mike D’Antoni as associate head coach Friday.

D’Antoni’s deal followed the team’s recent addition of Jerry Colangelo as chairman of basketball operations and a decision to extend Coach Brett Brown’s contract two years. D’Antoni is expected to be on the bench at some point during the 76ers’ trip to the West Coast from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2. The 64-year-old D’Antoni has been out of the NBA since stepping down from the Lakers after the 2013-14 season.

“When Jerry Colangelo came into our program, the first thing he said to me was, ‘How can I help you?’” Brown said. “And we talked about everything, the staff included. And we started sharing names. He mentioned the name Mike D’Antoni and I said, ‘Do you think he would do it?’”

“Less than 24 hours later, he said, ‘Mike is yours,’” Brown said.

Etc.

The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson for two games for driving while ability impaired. Lawson will miss home games Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers and Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. The former Denver Nuggets guard was charged with drunken driving, speeding and other offenses last January, but pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired and a lane violation. He faces up to 180 days in jail when he is sentenced Jan. 14. ...

The wife of PGA champion Jason Day was suffering from concussion symptoms after NBA star LeBron James crashed into her at her courtside seat as James scrambled for a ball during a Cleveland Cavaliers game. the golfer’s agent, Bud Martin, issued a statement morning saying Ellie Day “is resting comfortably and appreciates all of those who have reached out and are concerned about her.” He added she has “no hard feelings” toward James and quotes her as saying, “He was just doing his job. Go Cavs.”