Ex-Laker Grant Cut by Orlando

The Orlando Magic released forward-center Horace Grant on Wednesday because the 15-year veteran struggled to recover from off-season knee surgery.

Grant, 37, played only five games this season for the Magic. He missed 17 games because of a sore left knee and one game because of back spasms. Grant averaged 5.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 17 minutes.

Grant had surgery on his left knee Sept. 13.

“Horace has had a great run,” Magic Coach Doc Rivers said. “His body just won’t let him do the things he used to.”

Grant, who had said this would be his final season, did not respond to phone calls. He is free to sign with another team.

Grant, who signed with Orlando in July 2001, averaged eight points and 6.3 rebounds last season.

In his career with Chicago, Orlando, Seattle and the Lakers, Grant averaged 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds.

An All-Star in 1994, Grant was on three championship teams with the Bulls and one with the Lakers.

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New York Knick center Kurt Thomas was fined $5,000 by the NBA for shoving Seattle SuperSonic forward Vladimir Radmanovic as the teams walked off the court Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.