Sprewell Tells His Story

Latrell Sprewell took the witness stand at Portland, Ore., Thursday to try to persuade an arbitrator to lessen the punishment he received for choking and threatening to kill his coach, P.J. Carlesimo.

Sprewell’s testimony was expected to take up most of the third day of the hearing. His agent, Arn Tellem, was among those in attendance.

Carlesimo wasn’t there to hear Sprewell’s side of the story. After listening to three of his Golden State players and two of his assistant coaches testify Wednesday, Carlesimo left Portland.

Sprewell’s testimony, like all the others’ before him, was kept secret under a gag order sought by the NBA and issued by arbitrator John Feerick, dean of the Fordham Law School.

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Kevin Johnson’s surgically repaired right knee is strong enough for him to practice, Phoenix Coach Danny Ainge said.

Projections had him returning about Feb. 10, but team physician Richard Emerson said the knee was back to full strength in a test Tuesday.

Ainge said it was unlikely Johnson would play against the Miami Heat tonight, but he might get into another game on the current trip.

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All-Star Penny Hardaway, sidelined eight weeks because of a cartilage tear in his left knee, was activated from the injured list by the Orlando Magic. He underwent surgery for the torn cartilage on Dec. 10. . . . The Seattle SuperSonics put Jerome Kersey on the injured list because of a separated left shoulder and activated guard James Cotton. . . . Guard Bobby Phills was removed from the injured list and activated by the Charlotte Hornets. . . . Tony Dumas, traded by Phoenix in the off-season deal involving Antonio McDyess, was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers. . . . Kelvin Cato of the Portland Trail Blazers will replace San Antonio’s Tim Duncan on the West squad for the NBA’s rookie All-Star game because Duncan will play in the regular All-Star game Feb. 8, the day after the rookie game.