Holzman Might Have Leukemia

Former New York Knicks coach Red Holzman has leukemia, the New York Post reported.

The paper, citing close friends of the Hall of Fame coach, reported in today’s editions that the 77-year-old Holzman was admitted to Long Island Jewish Hospital on Wednesday.

Holzman said he didn’t want to talk about the nature of his illness when reached in his hospital room. “I don’t want to say anything right now,” he said.

Holzman, who coached the Knicks to their only two NBA titles, in 1970 and 1973, had a 613-484 record in two stints as coach.

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Starting point guard Mookie Blaylock and rookie Ed Gray were put on the injured list by the Atlanta Hawks.

The injuries left the Hawks with only 10 players for Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards--including two guards, Steve Smith and Eldridge Recasner.

Blaylock, in and out of the lineup for weeks because of a strained left groin and quadriceps, is expected to be out 10 days to two weeks.

Gray, who has a sprained right foot, earlier in the day was suspended for one game for failing to appear at a medical appointment Friday morning to have his foot examined.

The Hawks said they expected to sign free-agent guard Randy Livingston.

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The Golden State Warriors signed guard Carl Thomas to a 10-day contract.

Thomas, 28, began the season with the Warriors and averaged 7.3 points before being waived on Nov. 7. He was then signed by the Orlando Magic, who waived him on Dec. 23.