The way Mavericks coach Avery Johnson spoke, Dampier's ability to play against Detroit on Wednesday is also in question

"He didn't respond well after the Golden State game," Johnson said. "Swelling was there. He was limping pretty badly and couldn't practice. Yesterday [Saturday], he could hardly do anything.

"If he doesn't respond well [today], we're going to have to take a further look."

That further look would be an MRI.

The forthcoming schedule: On Sunday, at a Minnesota team still mourning the death of the KG Era; then a three-day break before getting tough Detroit at home on the 9th; another day off to travel to Seattle for a game on the 11th; a mild back-to-back challenge with a trip to see the crummy Clippers on the 12th; at Sacramento on the 14th with no Martin or Artest; a rematch with Seattle at Kevin Durant returns to Texas on the 19th; a visit to a Arenas-less Washington team on the 21st.

2000 The NBA fined Don Nelson $10,000 and suspended him for 1 game for bumping the ref and his confrontation with Karl Malone following his ejection in the 1/6/00 game vs Utah where he was complaining about Malone kneeing Shawn Bradley. Malone was also fined $10,000 for the confrontation with Nelson and for throwing an elbow at Bradley earlier in the game.