Bucks get Boykins in trade

The Milwaukee Bucks are missing four starters because of injuries, but General Manager Larry Harris wants to send the message that they aren’t giving up on the season.

Harris acquired point guard Earl Boykins from Denver on Thursday, sending backup guard Steve Blake to the Nuggets for Boykins -- the second-shortest player in NBA history at 5 feet 5 -- and second-year swingman Julius Hodge.

After making the move, Harris challenged his players to hold things together until March, when three of the four injured players, including leading scorer Michael Redd, return and the schedule turns favorable.

Nuggets Coach George Karl seemed displeased with the trade. Asked if he was in favor of it, Karl paused before saying, “I’m not going to comment.”

Later, he added: “I’m not saying I feel rejected or was denied a voice. I’m not sure my voice was on the side of acceptance.”

Harris said Boykins would become the Bucks’ starting point guard, now that Mo Williams is sidelined for two to three weeks by a shoulder injury.

Boykins, 30, is averaging 15.2 points and 4.3 assists. Blake, 26, is averaging 3.6 points and 2.5 assists and the seldom-used Hodge, 23, is averaging 1.5 points and 2.5 assists.

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Shaquille O’Neal practiced for the first time since tearing cartilage in his left knee Nov. 12, and forwards Antoine Walker and James Posey also rejoined the Miami Heat.

Walker and Posey were placed on the inactive list Jan. 3 for failing to meet conditioning guidelines. Walker and Posey will be available tonight at Golden State, but O’Neal will not play, the team said.

O’Neal, who had surgery Nov. 19, has missed 28 games and played in only four this season. He earlier said he would probably need about four or five practices before playing.

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Boston Celtics guard Tony Allen will miss the rest of the season because of two torn ligaments in his left knee, suffered when he landed awkwardly following an after-the-whistle dunk in Wednesday’s loss to Indiana.

Allen, averaging 11.5 points, will be sidelined at least six months.