Patterson Suspended Three Games

Seattle forward Ruben Patterson was suspended by the NBA for three games because of his conviction on an assault charge for breaking a man’s jaw.

Patterson, averaging 13.1 points in 48 games, began the suspension Wednesday night by sitting out the SuperSonics’ home game against Chicago. He will not be paid during the suspension.

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Vince Carter’s injured left knee is no worse than it was in November, but it was unclear whether he’d be able to play in the All-Star Game. He has already pulled out of the slam-dunk contest.

Meanwhile, the NBA announced the participants in this year’s dunk competition: the Clippers’ Corey Maggette, Charlotte’s Baron Davis, Seattle’s Desmond Mason, Indiana’s Jonathan Bender, Utah’s DeShawn Stevenson and Vancouver’s Stromile Swift.

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Lavor Postell was activated by the New York Knicks, who put center Felton Spencer on the injured list. . . . Tom Gugliotta, sidelined for five games because of a sore left knee, was activated by Phoenix.