Stern won’t discipline Thomas or MSG

NBA Commissioner David Stern won’t punish Isiah Thomas or Madison Square Garden for their role in a sexual harassment trial that embarrassed the New York Knicks and the league.

“Instead, we are going to continue to focus our attention on a league-wide program ensuring that all teams have appropriate policies, clearly communicated to their employees, focusing on respect in the workplace including the prohibition of sexual harassment,” Stern said in a statement Tuesday.

On Monday, Thomas and MSG settled the case brought by former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders for $11.5 million. A jury awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages in October -- a trial Stern wanted the Knicks to avoid, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press.

“The NBA is pleased that the parties have agreed to a settlement that dismisses the litigation,” Stern said in the statement. “I had previously determined not to consider any action against the Knicks while the litigation was still pending, which, with appeals, could have been several years. In light of the settlement, which I strongly supported, I have decided to take no further action.”

The Knicks had no new comment.

Attorneys for Jayson Williams in a New Jersey manslaughter case are seeking details about a racial slur allegedly made by a prosecution investigator against the black former NBA player.

The attorneys, in a court filing, said the Hunterdon County prosecutor’s office only recently revealed the slur, and that attorneys could have used it to discredit the prosecution case in the first trial.

Williams faces a retrial next year on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of a hired driver in 2002. Williams was convicted in 2004 of attempting to cover up the slaying but was acquitted of the more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter.

Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa underwent additional surgery on the left leg he broke last March and will be sidelined at least 10 weeks. . . . Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins, who said part of his bed fell on his right big toe, is questionable for tonight’s game against Sacramento. X-rays were negative.