Spurs Lose Johnson After Throat Surgery

The injury-ravaged San Antonio Spurs lost Avery Johnson for at least the next four games after the point guard underwent minor throat surgery.

Johnson had an abscess in his throat drained and was expected to remain hospitalized for two to three days while receiving intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Johnson had missed the last two games because of strep throat, snapping a consecutive games played streak at 378, including a Spurs-record 296 in a row.

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A bruised tailbone sidelined point guard Terrell Brandon for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game Monday night against the Detroit Pistons.

Brandon was injured in the first half of Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers when he fell hard on his back under his own basket.

Brandon’s status will be evaluated from game-to-game while he recuperates.

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The Continental Basketball Assn. tied its all-time high for CBA-to-NBA call-ups in a single season at 38 when the Miami Heat brought up forward Bruce Bowen from the Rockford Lightning. The previous record was set during the 1993-94 season.