Mashburn Gets Close to Practicing Again

New Orleans Hornet forward Jamal Mashburn, who hasn’t played this season because of a knee injury, will return to practice on Jan. 26, the team said Wednesday.

The Hornets said no date had been set for a return to the lineup. Mashburn injured his knee during a scrimmage before the first exhibition game in October and underwent surgery.

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Despite growing speculation that Don Nelson’s role as coach and general manager of the Dallas Mavericks could be in jeopardy because of the team’s sluggish play, owner Mark Cuban insisted that he’s not making any changes.

“He told me he’s not firing me,” Nelson said of an impromptu half-hour meeting Wednesday. Cuban said he didn’t give Nelson a vote of confidence “because that’s the kiss of death.”

Cuban also dismissed talk that he’d replace Nelson with Miami Heat President Pat Riley.

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The owners of the New Jersey Nets have told real estate developer Bruce Ratner that they intend to sell him the team for $300 million, according to sources. A sale would probably send the team from East Rutherford, N.J., to Brooklyn, N.Y., where Ratner is seeking to build a new arena. ... Portland Trail Blazer forward Qyntel Woods pleaded no contest to marijuana charges stemming from a traffic stop last March. Woods, who first pleaded innocent, was next scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. ... Chicago Bull center Eddy Curry reported to a Cook County judge Wednesday, one day after a warrant was issued for the player’s failure to appear in traffic court for tickets for speeding and driving with a suspended license.