Sports in brief

BASKETBALLCeltics, Shaq working on a deal

The Boston Celtics are making progress on a deal that would bring Shaquille O'Neal to the defending Eastern Conference champions, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press yesterday. Earlier, the four-time NBA champion said he will be in the league next season and would rather retire than play internationally. The 38-year-old O'Neal spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat. But he has struggled to find a contract from a team that can guarantee him playing time, enough money and a chance for another championship.

Powell leads Liberty over Indiana

Nicole Powell scored a season-high 20 points as the visiting Liberty beat the Indiana Fever, 82-72, for their fourth straight win. Powell went 6-for-7 from three-point range, including 4-for-5 in the second half. Cappie Pondexter scored 19 points and Janel McCarville had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Liberty, which outrebounded the Fever, 38-28. New York, the most efficient three-point shooting team in the league, made 12 of 18 from long range against the top defensive team in the league. The won for the first time in three meetings with the Fever this season. Indiana shot just 39 percent and never led.

Injury forces D'Antoni to step down

USA Basketball says assistant coach Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks coach, will miss the world championships because of a back injury and be replaced by Toronto Raptors coach Jay Triano. D'Antoni will continue working with the Americans when they train next week in New York, but won't join them in Europe.

NHLModano takes one-year pact with Detroit

Mike Modano is joining the Detroit Red Wings on a one-year contract. Modano confirmed his decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The 40-year-old forward played 20 seasons for the Minnesota-Dallas franchise and is the leading scorer among U.S.-born players in NHL history.

TRACK & FIELDGatlin wins in return from doping ban

Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin won a 100-meter race in 10.24 seconds in his first competition after a four-year doping ban. The 28-year-old American finished 0.07 seconds ahead of countryman J-Mee Samuels at a small meet in Rakvere, Estonia. Gatlin won gold in the 100 at the 2004 Athens Olympics in 9.85. He was banned from the sport after testing positive in April 2006 for excessive testosterone. The ban ended last month. - AP