Wallace suspended for seven games

New York — Trail Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace was suspended Saturday for seven games without pay for confronting and threatening a referee outside the Rose Garden in Portland.

Referees noted the confrontation in a routine report filed after Portland’s 100-92 home victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.

“He accosted a referee and threatened him,” NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson said.

Jackson refused to elaborate on the confrontation, which happened after the game in the arena’s loading dock, where players and other game personnel park their cars.

“We strongly believe the penalty that we issued was appropriate for Rasheed’s actions,” Jackson said during a conference call.

Jackson said there was no physical contact between Wallace and referee Tim Donaghy.

The Trail Blazers had no immediate comment. Portland played Minnesota on Saturday night at the Rose Garden.

Pacers add Croshere, place Brewer on shelf

Indianapolis — The Indiana Pacers placed guard Jamison Brewer on the injured list Saturday and activated forward Austin Croshere.

Croshere injured a rib muscle Jan. 6. He was averaging 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 22 games. Brewer has a strained right leg muscle. He only played in four games, averaging 1.5 points.

Orlando shelves Hill because of ankle pain

Orlando, Fla. — Grant Hill is out of action once again. The Orlando Magic placed the six-time All-Star forward on the injured list Saturday because of chronic pain in his surgically repaired left ankle, and there was no timetable for his return.

Hill has played in 29 of 41 games this season, averaging 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

But he’s been limited to playing in only four of the team’s 11 games since Christmas. He left after 12 minutes Thursday against Washington.