Knicks settle case for $11.5 million

Madison Square Garden and New York Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas reached an $11.5-million settlement of the sexual harassment case brought by a former team executive.

The deal came Monday as Anucha Browne Sanders was preparing to return to U.S. District Court in New York for a decision on compensatory damages. A jury had awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages. This deal replaces that.

The Indiana Pacers will not punish point guard Jamaal Tinsley for his involvement in an early Sunday shooting in front of a hotel that left the team’s equipment manager wounded.

Coach Jim O’Brien said that if the situation is as Tinsley describes there will be no penalties. Tinsley practiced after meeting with O’Brien and President Larry Bird, who did not comment.

This was Tinsley’s third late-night incident in about 14 months.

LeBron James, who sat out Cleveland’s last five games -- all losses -- because of a sprained left index finger, is expected to return tonight against Indiana. . . . Two civil lawsuits against Ron Artest stemming from the November 2004 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills were dismissed in Detroit. . . . Minnesota Timberwolves Coach Randy Wittman returned to practice following back surgery last week and is expected to lead the team tonight against Washington.