Jefferson Lost for Season

Richard Jefferson, the New Jersey Nets’ leading scorer, will miss the rest of the regular season because of a ruptured ligament in his left wrist that he claims resulted from a dirty play by Detroit’s Chauncey Billups.

Net president Rod Thorn said that after surgery, Jefferson could not play again until late May. Jefferson insisted the injury happened when Billups undercut him on a layup attempt in Detroit on Dec. 27. Billups was called for a flagrant foul.

“I wouldn’t say it was a cheap shot,” said Jefferson, averaging 22.2 points. “I don’t think it was retaliation. I don’t feel it was a cheap shot. Was it a bad play? Was it a dirty play? Yes. Is Chauncey Billups a dirty player? By no means, I don’t think so.”

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Cleveland Cavalier guard Dajuan Wagner was diagnosed with an inflamed large intestine and remained hospitalized.... Jayson Williams had discussions with the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Assn., hoping it leads to a return to the NBA. Williams, 36, was acquitted in April of the most serious charge in the 2002 shooting death of a limousine driver, but was convicted on four lesser counts. He faces retrial on a charge of reckless manslaughter.