HORNETS-ZELLER
Hornets’ Zeller rehabbing 3 months after shoulder surgery
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Hornets announced that forward Cody Zeller will be rehabbing the next three months after undergoing successful surgery to repair a tendon in his right shoulder.
He also had a bone spur and scar tissue removed from the shoulder on Wednesday.
The team said the procedure was completed by team physician Marcus Cook at Novant Orthopedic Hospital in Charlotte.
Zeller stepped into a starter role midway through the season and averaged career bests in points (7.6), rebounds (5.8) and assists (1.6) in 62 games. The 7-foot Zeller also participated in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend.
Zeller missed 19 of the final 20 games of the season with right shoulder injuries.
The Hornets did not make the playoffs.
HARDY SUSPENDED
NFL suspends DE Greg Hardy for 10 games
NEW YORK (AP) β The NFL has suspended defensive end Greg Hardy, now of the Dallas Cowboys, for 10 games for conduct detrimental to the league.
Hardy, who joined the Cowboys as a free agent this year, was notified Wednesday of the decision in a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell. Hardy plans to appeal.
Goodell cited “sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances.” His assault case had been dismissed in a North Carolina court, but an NFL investigation concluded that Hardy used physical force against Nicole Holder in at least four instances.
Hardy was on the commissioner’s Exempt List last season and did not play for Carolina, although he was paid his $13.1 million salary.
TITANS-BELL
Titans sign former Panthers offensive tackle Byron Bell
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) β The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with offensive tackle Byron Bell.
The team announced the move Wednesday, but did not release details of the deal.
Bell started 15 games at left tackle for the Carolina Panthers last season after playing right tackle his first three years in the league. He had spent his entire four-year NFL career with Carolina.
Bell, who is 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, entered the NFL in 2011 as an undrafted free agent from New Mexico.
FORMER UNC PLAYER-RAPE CHARGE
Rape charge dismissed against ex-Tar Heels basketball player
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) β A prosecutor says his office has dismissed a second-degree rape charge against a former University of North Carolina men’s basketball player.
Durham County district attorney Roger Echols said Wednesday that the charge against Melvin Scott was dismissed earlier this week.
Scott, 33, of Durham, was arrested in November. A Durham police spokeswoman said at the time that the case involved “a female acquaintance” and was connected to an incident in August.
Butch Williams, a Durham attorney representing Scott, said Wednesday evening that the dismissal would help Scott “get his life back together and get on with life.”
Scott played for the Tar Heels from 2001-05 under coach Matt Doherty and later under coach Roy Williams. He was a reserve on the school’s 2005 national championship team under Williams.
NETS-HAWKS
Millsap scores 19, Hawks hold off Nets 96-91 for 2-0 lead
ATLANTA (AP) β Paul Millsap scored 19 points and the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks again survived a tougher-than-expected test from the Brooklyn Nets, holding on for a 96-91 victory and a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday night.
Squandering an early 12-point lead, the Hawks fell behind before halftime and spent the rest of the game struggling to put away the No. 8 seed.
It went down to the wire. Deron Williams missed an open 15-foot jumper that would’ve tied it with about 10 seconds to go. Kyle Korver rebounded, was fouled and made two free throws to clinch Atlanta’s win.
The best-of-seven shifts to Brooklyn for the next two contests. Game 3 is Saturday.
Millsap, who missed five games near the end of the season with a sprained right shoulder, ditched a pad that he felt restricted his shooting motion. He responded by hitting 7 of 11 shots.
BRAVES-METS
Duda, Flores lead Mets past Braves 3-2 for 10th straight
NEW YORK (AP) β Lucas Duda hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning that sent the New York Mets to their 10th consecutive victory Wednesday night, 3-2 over the Atlanta Braves.
Wilmer Flores hit a tying homer and an RBI single for the Mets (12-3), on their longest winning streak since taking 10 straight in July 2008. Another victory in the series finale Thursday afternoon would match the team record of 11 in a row β last accomplished in 1990 β and complete a perfect 10-game run on their first homestand of the season.
Despite injuries to several key players, New York is off to its best start since the 1986 World Series champions opened 13-3.
