NBA taking close look at actions of Hornets' Paul
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Nov. 2: Knicks 117, Hornets 111
Chris Paul's altercation with Celtics guard Rajon Rondo in Sunday's game in Boston is being reviewed by the NBA, according to an NBA source. And the league might also consider reviewing Paul's actions during a third quarter scramble for a loose ball with Knicks forward Al Harrington.
The two chased down a loose ball and Harrington dove, which took out Paul's legs and caused him to fall on top of him. Harrington appeared to have grabbed Paul's leg and then Paul, in frustration, appeared to have pelted Harrington's head with a few jabs before he got free.
Harrington said he got up woozy after the play and said with a laugh, "My head hit his knee." He then added that Paul "might have slipped a couple of jabs in there but it didn't affect me. I fight in the summer so it's all good."
Then Harrington, who just paid a $25,000 fine to the NBA for criticizing the officials after Friday's loss in Charlotte and is aware of Paul's issue with the Rondo situation, quickly changed his tune.
"No, it was nothing," he said. "I was just joking. It was nothing. I dove for the ball and he thought I fouled him so he was just frustrated. I don't know what he was doing, I couldn't see him. But it wasn't nothing. It's nothing nobody should review or nothing like that."
Paul said he and Harrington spoke and were "fine" and explained that Harrington "really hit his head on the ground when he dove."
Knicks fix
X-rays on Nate Robinson's ankle were negative and he even said he could be back much sooner than the 10-to-14 days originally suggested by Mike D'Antoni . . . You can add Rudy Gay to the list of players the Knicks likely will target next summer in free agency. The extremely athletic 6-8 swingman from UConn was unable to reach a contract extension agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies by last night's deadline, which means he will be a restricted free agent come July 1.
