Barkley Talked Into Joining All-Stars

Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers said Monday he will bow to league pressure and play in the NBA All-Star game on Sunday.

Barkley announced Sunday he would skip the game to rest, saying a strained leg muscle had nagged him for several days.

He heard from the NBA Monday.

“I’m going to play,” he said. “They gave me a play-or-else deal. They said I would be suspended next week if I play this week and miss the the game. I don’t agree with them, but I’ve got to go.”

The injury, originally diagnosed as a groin pull, hobbled Barkley on Sunday. In a 114-89 victory over the Jazz on Monday, he played only 27 minutes but scored 16 points and had eight rebounds.