Mashburn Is Still Sidelined

Charlotte’s Jamal Mashburn will not play in Game 2 of the Hornet-Net series. Jamaal Magloire will, and another big body could make a big difference for Charlotte.

Magloire will return from a one-game suspension tonight at East Rutherford, N.J., when Charlotte and New Jersey resume their second-round series. The Nets lead, 1-0, after winning a game that showed just how important the backup center position can be.

Net center Todd MacCulloch hurt the Hornets badly in the third quarter after Elden Campbell went to the bench with his fourth foul. With Magloire unavailable to step in and defend MacCulloch, New Jersey’s center had an easy time against 6-foot-8 Robert Traylor and scored 11 points in the quarter.

Mashburn, the team’s leading scorer, has not played since Game 1 of the first round against Orlando. He remained in Charlotte on Monday and will not play in Game 2.

Mashburn has been suffering from anemia, vitamin deficiency and an inner ear infection.

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Amare Stoudemire, considered one of the best high school players in the nation, announced he will skip college and become available for the NBA draft. The 6-10 forward from Orlando Cypress Creek High averaged 29.1 points, 15 rebounds and 6.1 blocks this season. He was named Florida’s Mr. Basketball.

Lenny Cooke, 20, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who did not play basketball this season because he had run out of high school eligibility, also made himself available for the NBA draft.

The 6-6 Cooke and Stoudemire joined DeAngelo Collins of Inglewood as high school players who have declared for the June draft.