Mashburn Has Broken Cheek

Dallas Maverick forward Jamal Mashburn will undergo surgery today to repair a broken cheekbone, and will be sidelined two to four weeks.

The Mavericks activated journeyman center Greg Dreiling.

Mashburn was knocked to the floor on a drive in the first quarter of Thursday’s victory over the Clippers.

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Chicago Bull backup center Robert Parish went on the injured list because of a back strain. Parish, 43, who has averaged 4.6 points and two rebounds, was replaced by forward Dickey Simpkins.

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Boston Celtic center Pervis Ellison broke his right big toe when he dropped a table on it.

Ellison, who sat out the last game because the toe was sore, is expected to be out eight to 12 weeks after the mishap at home. Four players who were expected to start for Boston when the season began--Ellison, David Wesley, Dino Radja and Greg Minor--are injured.