Source: Cavs want to talk to Van Gundy

Cleveland — The Cleveland Cavaliers asked the New York Knicks for permission to talk to Jeff Van Gundy about being their next coach, a source said Monday.

Van Gundy, who abruptly resigned last season as coach of the Knicks and remains under contract with the club until July 31, is at the top of the Cavs’ wish list, the NBA source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Van Gundy, who is working as a TV analyst for TNT, declined to comment on the report while in Boston for the Celtics game against New Jersey.

The Cavaliers finished 17-65 this season, tying Denver for the league’s worst record. Cleveland fired John Lucas following a 8-34 start, and the club finished the season with assistant Keith Smart as interim coach.

Van Gundy compiled a 248-172 record and made six playoff appearances with the Knicks before resigning just 19 games into the 2001-02 season.

NBA won’t punish Walker for argument

Boston — Celtics forward Antoine Walker avoided punishment by the NBA for confronting a fan during the team’s Game 3 loss to New Jersey.

“The information in our investigation offered no conclusive evidence that Antoine warrants any disciplinary action,” league spokesman Tim Frank said Monday.

Late in Friday night’s 94-76 loss to the Nets in Boston, Walker went after the fan behind the Celtics’ bench. Walker, who said the man had heckled him for years, had to be restrained by teammates and security personnel.

A 43-year-old man filed a police report in which he claimed Walker poked him in the face several times, Boston police spokesman John Boyle said Sunday.

Hill to miss series

Philadelphia — Forward Tyrone Hill will miss the rest of Philadelphia’s second-round series against Detroit because of a torn right calf muscle. Hill will be out three-to-four weeks, meaning he could return only if the 76ers reach the NBA Finals.