Jazz fined $15,000 for mocking Lakers

Salt Lake City — The Utah Jazz were fined $15,000 by the NBA for a skit that ridiculed Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Utah last week.

NBA vice president Stu Jackson levied the fine, issuing a two-paragraph statement Friday saying the Jazz were penalized for “performing a mascot skit that ridiculed opposing players.”

During a timeout last Saturday, Jazz mascot “Bear” answered a fake call that was broadcast over the loudspeakers. The caller imitated Malone’s voice and identified himself as “Mail,” saying he wanted to come “home,” L.A. fans were “mean” to him and the Lakers don’t pass him the ball.

The call ended with the impersonated voice saying, “I guess it could be worse. I could be Ko…,” stopping short of saying Kobe.

Lakers shelve Bryant because of cut finger

Los Angeles — Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was placed on the injured list Friday because of a severe cut on his right index finger that will keep him out of action for at least a week.

The Lakers said Bryant needed nine to 10 stitches to close the wound. He was injured Thursday night when he accidentally put his hand through a glass window while trying to move boxes in his garage.

“I’m doing something where I’m leaning on a window. It doesn’t hold me up. I guess I’m too strong,” Bryant said. “Hand went through and I cut myself.”

Judge deals setback to Bryant’s defense

Denver — In a setback for Kobe Bryant, a judge ruled Friday that notes made by a victim’s advocate who sat in on a police interview with the woman Bryant is accused of raping cannot be given to defense attorneys.

State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle wrote that state law provides such strong privacy protection for communications between victims and victim advocates that he cannot even review the notes in private to determine whether they are relevant to the case.

The victim’s advocate, whose name has not been released, sat in during a police interview of the woman July 1.

No damage found in Harrington’s knee

Indianapolis — Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington has no structural damage in his sore right knee and isn’t expected to miss any time.

Harrington had tests on his knee Thursday, one day after feeling pain during a victory over Phoenix.

Harrington said after the game that he thought the knee might need minor surgery to clear up some scar tissue. But a review of the tests Friday found no such damage, the team said.

Harrington has been bothered by the knee since colliding with teammate Jermaine O’Neal before the season started. Team doctors have assured Harrington that he cannot damage the knee further by continuing to play.

Harrington, who practiced with the team Friday, is averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds.