Cavaliers Ask Knicks to Talk to Van Gundy

The Cleveland Cavaliers asked the New York Knicks for permission to talk to Jeff Van Gundy about being their next coach, a source said Monday.

Van Gundy, who abruptly resigned last season as coach of the Knicks and remains under contract with the club until July 31, is at the top of the Cavaliers’ wish list, the NBA source said.

The Cavaliers finished 17-65 this season, tying Denver for the league’s worst record. Cleveland fired John Lucas following an 8-34 start, and the club finished the season with assistant Keith Smart as interim coach.

Van Gundy, 41, had a 248-172 record and made six playoff appearances with the Knicks.

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Boston forward Antoine Walker avoided punishment by the NBA for confronting a fan during the Celtics’ Game 3 loss to the New Jersey Nets at the FleetCenter on Friday.

“The information in our investigation offered no conclusive evidence that Antoine warrants any disciplinary action,” league spokesman Tim Frank said.

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Sacramento forward Chris Webber, who tore cartilage in his left knee during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Dallas Mavericks, is putting off surgery, hoping to possibly play again this season if the Kings advance to the NBA Finals.... Philadelphia 76er forward Tyrone Hill will miss three to four weeks after tearing his right calf muscle in Sunday’s Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons.... Police in Philadelphia interviewed 76er star Allen Iverson about the April shooting that left one of his friends wounded outside a nightclub. The interview will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office to determine if there will be any changes made to the aggravated assault charges filed against Carlos Perez.