Prosecutor: No charges imminent in brawl

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Investigators interviewed nine people injured in the brawl at the end of the Pistons-Pacers game, but no charges were imminent in the case, the county prosecutor said Monday.

Police were reviewing videotapes and interviewing witnesses from Friday night’s melee, when Indiana forward Ron Artest charged into the stands after a fan threw a cup at him.

If charges are filed, they probably would be for assault and battery, a misdemeanor that could bring a three-month jail sentence, said David Gorcyca, the Oakland County prosecutor. The only possible felony charge could be against the person who hurled a chair into the crowd.

None of the people involved was seriously injured.

John Green of West Bloomfield Township was the fan who threw the cup at Artest, Gorcyca said. The prosecutor identified Green by repeatedly watching footage of the brawl. He said footage showed that once Artest was in the stands, Green grabbed him from behind and sucker-punched him.

Brown to miss games while recovering

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown will miss the team’s next two games after doctors advised him traveling could put him at risk for complications following recent hip surgery.

Brown will miss Detroit’s game today at Charlotte and Wednesday at Cleveland. He’s expected to return for Friday’s home game against Miami.

The Hall of Fame coach’s doctors told him that traveling to the next two games could put him at risk for complications such as blood clots.

Assistant Gar Heard will coach the team in Brown’s absence. Heard went 2-3 when Brown missed two weeks earlier this month following the surgery.

Brown returned to the bench last Wednesday when Detroit defeated Minnesota at home. He also coached the Pistons during their brawl-marred game Friday against Indiana as well as Sunday night’s home win over Charlotte.

Brown coached Kansas University from 1983-88, leading the Jayhawks to the national title in 1988.