Iverson Has Broken Thumb

Allen Iverson, the league’s scoring leader, will be sidelined at least three weeks because of a broken thumb on his shooting hand. The Philadelphia 76er guard was hurt in the first half of a 94-91 loss to San Antonio on Monday night.

Iverson, wearing a large cast, lashed out at the NBA’s new defensive rules that were supposed to limit aggressive defense.

“All I know is, this is all I got out of the new rules--this and getting called for palming a whole lot,” Iverson said. “People said the new rules are supposed to help guys with games like mine. This is all I got out of it, a whole bunch of injuries.”

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Latrell Sprewell’s behavior toward Golden State Warrior fans who taunted him during his first game against his former team is being investigated by the NBA.

The game at Oakland on Saturday night was the first time that Sprewell, now with the New York Knicks, faced Coach P.J. Carlesimo, whom he choked in December 1997.

Sprewell shouted obscenities and vulgar remarks at some fans during the game.

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Rony Seikaly filed a grievance against the New Jersey Nets, charging that his former team still owes him $4.5 million because he was injured when he was released.

The Nets waived Seikaly on Aug. 3. His agent, Steve Kauffman, said Seikaly was released because he was seriously injured, requiring the Nets to pay the remainder of his salary.