Strickland, Murray Fined

Guard Rod Strickland and forward Tracy Murray were fined $25,000 apiece by the Washington Wizards on Thursday for their altercation in a hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Murray needed seven stitches to close a cut below his left eye and Strickland underwent precautionary X-rays after the Wednesday scuffle, the Washington Post reported.

“I have spoken to each of the players at my office,” General Manager Wes Unseld said. “They both have apologized to each other and the organization for their actions. . . . The Wizards’ organization does not condone physical violence to settle disputes. I trust that this will be the end of this situation as both players are embarrassed by their behavior.”

The Post, citing unnamed sources, said the dispute stems from a conversation between Murray and a woman in Los Angeles during which he made disparaging remarks about Strickland. According to the report, the woman taped the conversation and later played it for Strickland, who then confronted Murray.

Strickland and Murray both played in Wednesday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Neither player was available for comment on the altercation.

*

Phoenix Sun guard Kevin Johnson was put on the injured list and will sit out at least five games because of tendinitis in his right knee but must wait to learn if he will be sidelined longer, the team said.

Johnson already has missed the last five games, but could be sidelined four to six weeks if he decides to undergo surgery to remove loose cartilage in the knee, team doctor Richard Emerson said.

*

After saying he was frustrated and might retire, forward Antoine Carr, 36, decided to stay with the Utah Jazz after meeting with Coach Jerry Sloan.

“I wanted to know where he was coming from, whether he wanted to be here or if he didn’t want to be here,” Sloan said. “He indicated that he wanted to try to work it out and that he wanted to play. That’s the bottom line that I’m looking for.”

Carr, averaging 5.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 16.1 minutes a game, had made his comments after practice on Wednesday.

“You’d have to talk to him about what his exact feelings are,” Sloan told reporters.

Carr, however, refused comment.

*

Philadelphia 76er forward Tom Chambers, a four-time all-star, retired. Chambers, 38, was in his 16th season and ranks 24th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 20,053 points. . . . Denver Nugget guard Bryant Stith had surgery on his left ankle to remove a bone spur. He is expected to be sidelined three months. . . . Cleveland Cavalier guard Mitchell Butler is out indefinitely because of back and shoulder pain.