Webber suspended for two offenses

New York — Kings forward Chris Webber was suspended for eight games Tuesday: five for violating the NBA’s drug policy and three for pleading guilty to lying to a grand jury.

Webber has missed the entire season after left knee surgery and was taken off the injured list Monday. His suspension started with Tuesday night’s home game against Boston.

The five-time All-Star was the Kings’ leader in scoring, rebounding and assists last season. He hasn’t played since tearing cartilage in his left knee during the second round of last season’s playoffs.

Webber pleaded guilty in July to charges of lying about his relationship with Ed Martin, a University of Michigan booster who claimed he loaned $280,000 to Webber.

Webber has been practicing with the Kings for several weeks, but he wasn’t healthy enough to appear in games.

He averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals last season.

Chicago waives guard Williams

Chicago — The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jay Williams Tuesday, two weeks after reaching a contract buyout with the guard whose career is in jeopardy following a motorcycle accident.

NBA rules require a player to be put on waivers after a team and the player make a settlement on their contract.

The buyout was worth about $3 million. Williams had two more years worth about $7.7 million left on his original deal.

“Jay’s accident was tragic and unfortunate. We look forward to watching the progress of Jay’s rehabilitation and remain hopeful he can someday rejoin our team. But at the same time, this allows us roster flexibility as we move forward,” Bulls general manager John Paxson said.

Williams was riding a new motorcycle June 19 when the bike got away from him and slammed into a utility pole.

Iverson benched for missing practice

Denver — Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson was benched for the start of Tuesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets after missing practice a day earlier, coach Chris Ford said.

Iverson, the 76ers’ only representative in Sunday’s All-Star game in Los Angeles, failed to appear for Monday’s practice at the Denver Athletic Club.

Iverson had contacted Allen Lumpkin, the team’s director of travel and team services, to tell him he wouldn’t be able to make it to practice. Ford was upset that Iverson didn’t contact him personally.