Jordan’s ex-girlfriend denies extortion attempt

Chicago – The woman accused of extortion by Michael Jordan responded with her own lawsuit Tuesday, saying he offered her $5 million to keep quiet about their relationship.

Karla Knafel asked the court to force Jordan to pay her the money because he was in breach of contract.

Jordan filed a lawsuit in October, contending he had a relationship with Knafel more than 10 years ago and paid her $250,000 “under threat of publicly exposing that relationship.”

Jordan’s lawsuit said Knafel tried to extort another $5 million.

Jackson moves up career assists list

Salt Lake City – Utah guard Mark Jackson passed Oscar Robertson for third place on the NBA career assists list Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns.

Jackson needed just one assist to tie Robertson’s 9,887. He got it with an alley-oop pass to Andrei Kirilenko in the first quarter. On the Jazz’s next possession, Jackson fed Karl Malone for a baseline jump shot that moved Jackson ahead of the Big O.

Mavericks center has knee surgery

Dallas – Dallas Mavericks backup center Evan Eschmeyer had arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee Tuesday and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

The 6-foot-11 Eschmeyer already had missed the past seven games. He played in just two games of Dallas’ franchise-best 10-0 start.

Wolves activate Smith; Szczerbiak shelved

Minneapolis – The Minnesota Timberwolves activated forward Joe Smith from the injured list Tuesday and placed guard Wally Szczerbiak on it.

Smith, who averaged 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season, hasn’t played since straining his left groin in training camp on Oct. 4.

Szczerbiak is recovering from a sprained small toe on his left foot, which he hurt Oct. 8. The Wolves’ All-Star guard has played in four games this season, averaging 18.3 points.