NBA briefs

League admits officiating mistake

New York — The NBA acknowledged Thursday there was an officiating mistake in the final minute of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 112-111 victory over the host Denver Nuggets.

With the Nuggets leading Wednesday night’s game 111-109, a shot by Denver’s Andre Miller appeared to brush the rim and barely beat the shot clock. Teammate Carmelo Anthony grabbed the rebound, but the whistle blew for a shot-clock violation. The officials huddled and ruled it was an inadvertent whistle, resulting in a jump ball.

The Lakers won the tip, leading to Kareem Rush’s winning three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left.

But NBA senior VP Stu Jackson said Thursday that there shouldn’t have been a whistle on the play.

“That call was incorrect because the ball, in fact, hit the rim,” Jackson said.

Bulls activate Gill, shelve Jeffries

Chicago — The Chicago Bulls activated guard Kendall Gill Thursday and placed Chris Jeffries on the injured list with lower back pain.

Gill, a 13-year veteran, was on the injured list since Jan. 25 with a strained right Achilles’ tendon. He was injured two days earlier in a game against the Dallas Mavericks and has missed Chicago’s past 14 games.

The injury snapped Gill’s streak of 138 straight games played. He averaged 10.2 points in the Bulls’ first 43 games. Chicago was to play at Washington later Thursday.

Spurs’ Duncan injured, likely to miss time

Dallas — San Antonio’s Tim Duncan could be sidelined for a while after leaving Thursday night’s game against Dallas with what the team is calling a bruised left thigh.

Duncan appeared to be rubbing near the top of his knee, and the two-time league MVP told teammates he hurt the knee.

The team, however, announced it was a thigh problem.

“He’s got some sort of thigh contusion,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s probably going to miss a little bit of time.”

Ankle injury hampers Timberwolves’ Cassell

Minneapolis — Timberwolves point guard Sam Cassell could miss tonight’s game against Golden State. Cassell didn’t suit up for Wednesday night’s 81-68 victory over the New Jersey Nets because of tendinitis in his left ankle. A decision about his status for the Warriors game will be made right before tipoff.

Cassell, averaging 21.2 points and 7.7 assists, received treatment Thursday and went through a light workout.

Pistons sign Hunter, put Okur on injured list

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Eight days after they traded him, the Detroit Pistons re-signed guard Lindsey Hunter.

The Pistons also placed Mehmet Okur on the injured list with a lower back strain. Okur, averaging 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 23.3 minutes, has missed five games due to back spasms this season.