Olowokandi, Nene Are Suspended

Minnesota center Michael Olowokandi and Denver forward Nene were suspended four games each Saturday by the NBA for fighting.

The two squared off in the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ 93-83 victory in Denver on Friday night.

Olowokandi bumped Nene twice as they fought for a rebound at Minnesota’s end with 7.1 seconds left in the quarter, then Nene pushed him away. Olowokandi followed by pushing Nene in the face, and the Nugget forward charged in throwing punches, landing one to the side of Olowokandi’s head.

The players flailed at each other for several seconds in front of the scorer’s table before being separated and escorted from the floor.

Nugget forward Marcus Camby and center Francisco Elson were also suspended one game each for leaving the bench area during the altercation.

Olowokandi was to begin serving his suspension Saturday night against Portland. Nene will begin serving his suspension Monday night, when Denver plays at Golden State. Camby and Elson will also serve their suspensions Monday night.

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Phoenix point guard Steve Nash, the NBA’s assists leader, sat out the Suns’ game against Washington on Saturday night because of a bruised left thigh.

Nash, averaging 15.3 points and 10.9 assists, was injured Friday night early in the second quarter of the Suns’ 101-83 loss at Indiana.

Coach Mike D’Antoni left Nash’s availability in question until minutes before the tipoff, saying that Nash would decide whether to play based on how the injured leg responded during warmups.

Leandro Barbosa made his first start of the season in Nash’s place.

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The Indiana Pacers activated forward Jonathan Bender and put center John Edwards on the injured list because of a strained quadriceps.

Bender had been on the injured list since Nov. 20 because of a sore right knee. He has played in two games this season, averaging 8.0 points.

Bender’s knees have bothered him for most of his six-year career, and he made the decision in November to sit for an extended period to allow scar tissue to heal.

Pacer Coach Rick Carlisle said he would be cautious with Bender in hopes of avoiding another injury.