J.R. Smith will be fine

Newark, N.J. – Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith remained hospitalized Sunday after being thrown from his vehicle during a crash Saturday night, but his injuries aren’t believed to be as serious as first thought.

“J.R. is fine. There is nothing career- or life-threatening,” Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said Sunday. “I did not hear anything that would suggest he is going to be out any games. He is more concerned about the other people in the accident.”

Smith and a passenger, Andre Bell, 21, of East Orange, were seriously injured Saturday when the sport utility vehicle Smith was driving went through a stop sign and overturned after colliding with a car at about 5:30 p.m. in Millstone Township, state police said.

Carroll Marshall, 23, another passenger in the SUV, and Lynn Sinatra, 49, of Millstone, who was driving the car, sustained minor injuries.

Arenas to leave Wizards

Washington – The Washington Wizards are committed to keeping Gilbert Arenas on the team, even after the All-Star guard said he planned to opt out of his contract.

Arenas told The Washington Post and The Washington Times that he will get out of the six-year, $65 million contract he signed in 2003 and become a free agent.

“As a three-time All-Star and one of the league’s best players, we understand why a player of his stature would like to be compensated accordingly,” Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement.

DerMarr Johnson charged

Greenwood Village, Colo. – Nuggets reserve forward DerMarr Johnson was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with police during a disturbance outside a nightclub. Police said they used a taser to calm the 6-foot-9 player.

“He apparently would not cooperate,” police Lt. Randy Corbitt said.

Johnson and two women were arrested, booked and released early Saturday. The women were charged with disturbing the peace.