Police accuse Thomas of a cover-up

A suburban police chief likened the conflicting accounts of an overdose at Isiah Thomas’ home to a “cover-up” and rebuked the former New York Knicks coach Saturday for saying it was his teenage daughter who required treatment.

“It wasn’t his daughter,” Harrison (N.Y.) Police Chief David Hall told the Associated Press. “And why they’re throwing her under the bus is beyond my ability to understand.”

Authorities were called early Friday to Thomas’ Westchester County home, where police said a 47-year-old man was taken to the hospital and treated for an overdose of sleeping pills. Several media outlets reported that police confirmed it was Thomas who went to the hospital.

But reached on his cellphone Friday, the 47-year-old former NBA great told the New York Post he had not been treated for a sleeping pill overdose, and that it was 17-year-old daughter Lauren who had a medical issue.

It “wasn’t an overdose,” he told the newspaper. “My daughter is very down right now. None of us are OK.”

Thomas’ 20-year-old son, Joshua, lashed out at Hall’s comments.

“Saying that someone is being thrown under the bus when you are talking about health issues is disrespectful,” the Indiana University student wrote in a text to the New York Daily News.

GOLF

Sutherland leads by one

Kevin Sutherland shot an eight-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead over George McNeill after the third round of the Frys.com Open at Scottsdale, Ariz., the fifth of the PGA Tour’s seven Fall Series events.

Karen Stupples of England chipped for a birdie on the 18th hole and took a two-shot lead at the Grand China Air after a rain-soaked second round at Haikou. The 54-hole event is the LPGA Tour’s first tournament in China. . . . Jeff Sluman moved into position for his third Champions Tour victory of the season, shooting a seven-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion John Cook and Mark James in the AT&T; Championship at San Antonio.

PRO FOOTBALL

NFL denies Haslett deal

The NFL denied the St. Louis Rams’ attempt to rework a contract with interim Coach Jim Haslett that would ensure him a job beyond this season if he won six games because of a requirement that minority candidates be interviewed for head coaching vacancies. . . . The Cleveland Browns have agreed to rescind Kellen Winslow’s one-game suspension, but the Pro Bowl tight end will still miss Cleveland’s game today at Jacksonville.

ETC.

Klitschko fight canceled

Wladimir Klitschko’s heavyweight title defense against Alexander Povetkin has been canceled after Povetkin tore a ligament in his left foot during a training run. The fight had been scheduled for Dec. 13 in Mannheim, Germany. . . . Mikkel Kessler of Denmark retained his WBA super-middleweight title by knocking out Danilo Haeussler of Germany in the third round at Oldenburg, Germany.

Top-seeded Roger Federer defeated Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the final of the Swiss Indoors at Basel. Federer will seek a third straight title at the event today against 2002 champion David Nalbandian, who defeated Juan Martin del Potro, 6-4, 6-4, in the other semifinal. . . . Defending champion Andy Murray defeated Fernando Verdasco, 6-0, 6-3, to advance to the St. Petersburg Open final in Russia. Today, the top-seeded Murray will play qualifier Andrey Golubev, who reached his first career ATP final by beating Victor Hanescu, 6-3, 6-0. . . . Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will end the season as the No. 1 women’s player, the WTA Tour announced.

Harry Redknapp agreed to leave Portsmouth to replace fired Juande Ramos as Tottenham manager. Redknapp said a compensation package of 5 million pounds was agreed to between the English Premier League soccer rivals. . . . Manchester United drew, 1-1, at Everton in the English Premier League as it failed to win for a first time in seven matches, and Hull City best West Bromwich Albion, 3-0, for its fourth straight victory. League newcomer Hull is now in third place. United remains in fifth. . . . Austria’s Kathrin Zettel won the season-opening World Cup giant slalom at Soelden, Austria. . . . Olympic medalist Shani Davis set a speedskating track record in the 1,500 meters at West Allis, Wis.