Phoenix ? The Phoenix Suns, who failed to make the NBA playoffs for the first time in 14 years, will bring back Frank Johnson as coach next season. The team announced on Thursday that Johnson had signed a three-year contract.

Johnson, 43, took over on Feb. 17 when Scott Skiles left by mutual agreement with the franchise. The Suns went 11-20 under Johnson.

Johnson will oversee a rebuilding project that will center on four young players Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and Jake Tsakalidis.

Phoenix’s own draft pick is a lottery selection. The Suns also acquired Boston’s first-round pick.

One of the major questions facing the coach and the franchise is how to deal with Penny Hardaway. When Johnson became coach, he benched Hardaway in favor of rookie Joe Johnson.

Hardaway didn’t like the role, and the Suns reportedly would like to trade him.

Iverson’s status unclear

Philadelphia Allen Iverson’s status for Sunday’s playoff opener against Boston won’t be clear until he practices with Philadelphia today. While his teammates practiced Thursday, Iverson sat in a chair, resting his injured left hand an electronic stimulus device was attached. Iverson, who led the league in scoring with 31.4 points per game, missed the last 14 games of the regular season after breaking a bone in his left hand on March 22.

Starks, Crotty won’t play

Salt Lake City John Starks was left off Utah’s playoff roster Thursday, signaling a possible end to the NBA career of a 13-year veteran and longtime fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. The Jazz put Quincy Lewis and Rusty LaRue on their 12-man playoff roster instead of Starks and injured point guard John Crotty. Starks and Crotty are in the final year of their contracts.

Horry has hematoma

El Segundo, Calif. Robert Horry’s status for the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff opener Sunday against Portland was uncertain Thursday following the discovery of a hematoma a pooling of blood under his abdominal muscle.

Bulls assistant coach quits

Chicago Chicago Bulls assistant coach Norm Ellenberger resigned Thursday, a day after the team finished its fourth straight losing season. Ellenberger joined the team in August 2000 after 10 years on Bob Knight’s staff at Indiana.

Potapenko to miss first round

Waltham, Mass. Vitaly Potapenko, Boston’s backup center who injured his left knee on the last night of the regular season, will miss the first round of the NBA playoffs against Philadelphia and perhaps more.