Union Files Grievance for Baker

The NBA players’ union filed a grievance on behalf of former Boston Celtic forward Vin Baker, whose contract was terminated this month.

In the filing to grievance arbitrator Roger Kaplan, the union asked for an expedited hearing.

Baker stands to lose $35 million if the arbitrator finds the Celtics were within their rights when they terminated the final 2 1/2 years of his contract for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program. When Baker sat out 10 games in a row, it triggered a contract clause that let the Celtics void the deal. Baker and the union contend he was ready to play before missing the 10th game.

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It was not known when Philadelphia 76er guard Allen Iverson would return after he sat out his second consecutive game by not making the trip to Atlanta because of a sore right shoulder.

The 76ers are off until Saturday, when they visit Indiana.

Iverson was injured when he ran into the scorer’s table chasing a loose ball in Thursday’s victory at Seattle. X-rays showed no structural damage.

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Washington Wizard guard Jerry Stackhouse was fined $5,000 by the NBA for throwing a basketball into the stands during Sunday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Stackhouse was ejected in the third quarter after he tossed the ball in frustration over a foul call.

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Wearing a cast on his non-shooting hand, forward Ron Artest took nearly 500 shots as he returned to practice with the Indiana Pacers.

Left thumb surgery probably will sideline Artest for the rest of the regular season, but he was cleared for workouts. No timetable has been set for his return from surgery to repair torn ligaments.

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Former Laker guard Jannero Pargo was signed by the Toronto Raptors for the rest of the season.

Forward Lonny Baxter was put on the injured list because of knee tendinitis. Toronto also waived center Eric Montross, who retired in August after missing the previous season because of a fracture in his left foot.