Suns Tap Johnson to Replace Kidd

Nearly two years after his last NBA game, Kevin Johnson re-signed with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, a day after Jason Kidd suffered a broken ankle.

The 34-year-old Johnson, a three-time all-star point guard, was the Suns’ floor leader until they acquired Kidd in December 1996. Johnson will play for the team the rest of the season.

Kidd suffered a broken bone high in his left ankle just before halftime Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings and might not be back in time for the playoffs. Doctors inserted three screws during a two-hour operation Thursday.

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Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets, suffering from an asthma-like condition that prevents him from breathing properly during games, was placed on the injured list.

“I feel relieved that he’s in a safe situation because I don’t want to see anything happen to him,” Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “This isn’t a surprise, because he’s been struggling with this.”

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Center Arvydas Sabonis of the Portland Trail Blazers is sidelined indefinitely after suffering a severely sprained right foot against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. . . . Internet mogul Mark Cuban, owner-in-waiting of the Dallas Mavericks until the league approves the sale, said he wants Don Nelson back next season as general manager, and perhaps as coach. . . . Point guard Rod Strickland of the Washington Wizards, suffering from a strained quadriceps muscle, was placed on the injured list.