In the News

Songaila signs one-year deal with Turkish team
Former Philadelphia 76ers power forward Darius Songaila has signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million plus bonuses with the Turkish team, Galatsaray, his agent said on Friday.

Sixers acquire F Brackins from Hornets (AP)
The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired rookie forward Craig Brackins from the New Orleans Hornets for Willie Green and Jason Smith. The Sixers also got forward Darius Songaila in Thursday's trade. Brackins was taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the NBA draft. He was then traded to New Orleans.

Collison's 16 and 20 lift Hornets (AP)

Darren Collison had 16 points and a career-high 20 assists, and the New Orleans Hornets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 135-131 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Collison's assists total tied Phoenix's Steve Nash for the most in an NBA game this season. Marcus Thornton and David West each scored 28 points for the Hornets, who shot 59 percent (54 of 92) and had...

New Orleans Hornets' Darius Songaila expected back Wednesday
Hornets coach Jeff Bower says reserve Darius Songaila is expected to return from his sprained right ankle on Wednesday night.

Hornets F Songaila ready to return (AP)
Hornets coach Jeff Bower says reserve Darius Songaila is expected to return from his sprained right ankle on Wednesday night. Songaila, averaging 7.2 points in 18.2 minutes per game, has shot nearly 50 percent this season and has been among the Hornets' most productive scorers coming off the bench.

Ray Allen sits, Celtics fall to Hornets (AP)

Darren Collison scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, helping the New Orleans Hornets hold on for a 93-85 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Peja Stojakovic scored 20 for New Orleans and Morris Peterson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double in more than two seasons.

Anthony leads Nuggets past Hornets in OT (AP)

Carmelo Anthony scored four of his 30 points in overtime and added 11 rebounds and the Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Hornets 116-110 on Saturday night for their season-high sixth straight victory. Kenyon Martin added 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Chauncey Billups had 20 points and nine assists, and Arron Afflalo had 19 points, hitting two 3-pointers in overtime.

Hornets top Grizzlies on Posey's layup (AP)

James Posey's driving layup with 1.1 seconds left gave the New Orleans Hornets a 113-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Chris Paul scored 10 of his 21 points in the last 4:20 and had 13 assists as the Hornets rallied from a late nine-point deficit to win it on Posey's basket.

Paul's layup helps Hornets hold off Nets (AP)

Chris Paul hit a driving scoop as he was fouled with 7.6 seconds left, and the New Orleans Hornets narrowly averted a stunning loss at home by beating the New Jersey Nets 103-99 on Friday night. The Hornets had blown a 15-point lead and trailed 99-98 before Paul capped an 11-point, 18-assist performance by putting New Orleans back up for good.

Hornets above .500 after win in Oklahoma (AP)

Chris Paul stopped at his favorite restaurants, swung by his old house and got a warm reception when he got introduced in his latest visit to Oklahoma City. Then came a noticeably less friendly reception from the town the New Orleans Hornets' temporarily called home after Hurricane Katrina. Paul had 14 points and 13 assists and drove for a key layup in the final minute of the Hornets' 95-92...

Raptors hold off Hornets 98-92 (AP)

Chris Bosh had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Andrea Bargnani had 13 points and 11 boards and the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Hornets 98-92 on Sunday. Jarrett Jack had 15 points and Hedo Turkoglu scored 14 for the Raptors, who held the Hornets to 39 percent shooting. Jack and Turkoglu also had seven assists apiece, and Amir Johnson added 12 rebounds.

Paul's 30 and 19 lift Hornets by Nuggets (AP)

Chris Paul had 30 points and a season-high 19 assists, and narrowly missed a triple-double with nine rebounds, to lift the New Orleans Hornets to a 98-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Paul scored 26 points in the second half, and with his assists combined for 41 of the Hornets' 52 points over the final two quarters.

Haslem's jumper lifts Heat over Hornets (AP)

Dwyane Wade had 31 points, and Udonis Haslem hit a jumper with 15.4 seconds left to lift the Miami Heat past the New Orleans Hornets 102-101 on Sunday night. Haslem finished with 14 points off the bench, including both field goals for Miami in the final minute. He tied the game at 100 with 45 seconds left, then after Marcus Thornton put the Hornets ahead with a free throw, Haslem won it with a shot...

Hornets snap Hawks' 7-game win streak (AP)

Rookie Darren Collison had 22 points and 11 assists for his first double-double, and the New Orleans Hornets won their third straight while snapping the Atlanta Hawks' seven-game winning streak, 96-88 on Saturday night. Fellow rookie Marcus Thornton scored 21 for the resurgent Hornets, who made 12 of 17 3-point attempts.

Streaking Hawks rout Paul-less Hornets (AP)

Joe Johnson scored 26 points, Jamal Crawford added 21, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the New Orleans Hornets 121-98 on Saturday night for their fourth straight victory. The Hornets were without Chris Paul, who stayed home after spraining his ankle from the night before, and have lost three straight and five of six.

Wolves allow G Daniels to seek trade (AP)
The Minnesota Timberwolves say they have given veteran guard Antonio Daniels permission to seek a trade. If Daniels and his agent cannot work out a deal, the Timberwolves will buy him out. Daniels is in the final year of his deal that will pay him $6.6 million this season. He was acquired from New Orleans in a trade for Darius Songaila earlier this month that gives the Wolves more salary cap...

Hornets-Timberwolves agree on 3-player trade
The New Orleans Hornets agreed to trade reserve point guard Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second-round draft pick to Minnesota on Wednesday in exchange for forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown. "This move gives us added depth at the guard position and the power forward position," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said. "Darius brings toughness and experience to bolster our frontcourt.

New Orleans Hornets to improve depth by adding pari from Minnesota Timberwolves
The Hornets are on the verge of completing a trade with the Timberwolves to improve their depth, according to NBA front-office sources, with forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown headed to the Hornets in exchange for guard Antonio Daniels.

Bobcats rally from 13 down, beat Wizards (AP)

Raja Bell scored 19 points, and Boris Diaw added 18 to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 92-89 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night., After trailing most of the game, the Bobcats took the lead for good on Shannon Brown's 3-pointer with 2:42 left, and held off Washington's late charge. Down 90-89 with 15 seconds left, the Wizards had a chance for the win.

Mavs hand Wizards sixth straight loss (AP)

The Dallas Mavericks have one of the best point guards in NBA history. The Washington Wizards have 21 losses in 25 games. On a night when Jason Kidd took over the game in the fourth quarter, the Wizards again imploded in the fourth. Kidd had 11 assists -- six in the game's final 6:05 as Dallas sent Washington to its sixth straight loss, 97-86 Sunday night.

Horford's late 3-point play lifts Hawks (AP)

Al Horford's three-point play with 12.4 seconds remaining broke a tie in the Atlanta Hawks' 102-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. Washington's Caron Butler hit a 3-pointer with 1:10 to play to tie it at 98 after Atlanta had a 17-point lead early in the third quarter. Darius Songaila's turnover with 31.8 seconds left gave the ball to Atlanta.

Wizards reserve suspended for smacking LeBron
Wizards reserve forward Darius Songaila has been suspended one game for striking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the face with his hand,

Wizards' Songaila suspended for Game 6 (AP)
Washington Wizards reserve forward Darius Songaila was suspended by the NBA for Game 6 of a playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night for hitting LeBron James in the face with his hand. Songaila, averaging 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 15.4 minutes during the series, and Wizards coach Eddie Jordan have said the contact was accidental.

NBA suspends Songaila for 1 game
Washington Wizards reserve forward Darius Songaila has been suspended one game for striking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the face with his hand, and will sit out Friday night's Game 6 of the playoff series. Songaila hit James in the first period of Washington's 88-87 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday in Game 5. The suspension was announced Friday by NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson.

Arenas leads Wizards past 76ers 109-93 (AP)

Gilbert Arenas finally looked like Agent Zero again, just in time for the Washington Wizards to put the Philadelphia 76ers out of reach. After another passive performance typical of his play since returning from a knee injury, Arenas took over the game by scoring 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter Saturday night in a 109-93 victory over the 76ers.

Jamison leads Wizards over Kings (AP)

Although it's been three years since Darius Songaila played in Sacramento, he still knows how to stir up the crowd at Arco Arena. The Washington reserve forward scored seven points in the final 59 seconds and Antawn Jamison had 25 points and 12 rebounds Friday night for the Wizards, who held off the Sacramento Kings 114-108.

Wizards rally from 18 down, beat Bulls (AP)

One Washington player was ejected and others hung their heads, sulking. Then, the Wizards sprung to life and perhaps sucked away whatever the Chicago Bulls had left. Antawn Jamison, Roger Mason and Andray Blatche each scored 17 points, and the struggling Wizards used a third-quarter surge to overcome an 18-point deficit and beat Chicago 97-91 on Friday night.

Knicks enjoy rarity: Back-to-back wins (AP)

Jamal Crawford scored 29 points and the New York Knicks beat the Washington Wizards 105-93 Tuesday night to give them consecutive victories for only the third time this season. Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson added 14 points apiece for the Knicks, who will go for their first three-game winning streak of the season Wednesday at New Jersey.

Rockets win again without McGrady, 92-84 (AP)

Still unsure when they'll get Tracy McGrady back, the Houston Rockets are doing just fine without him right now. Luther Head's season-high 24 points and Rafer Alston's double-double Tuesday night led Houston past the Washington Wizards 92-84, the Rockets' third consecutive victory. Alston finished with 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Yao Ming scored 21 points for Houston, which is 5-2...

Suns top Wizards for fifth straight win (AP)

Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns let the Washington Wizards hang around for a half. Then the Suns' "awesome" offense got in gear. Nash delivered a season-high 19 assists, Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points, and Raja Bell had 14 of his 22 points during a game-deciding third quarter, helping Phoenix beat Washington 122-107 Friday night for its fifth consecutive victory.

Arenas sits, Wizards win fifth straight (AP)

Andray Blatche reached his career high at the first-half buzzer, holding both hands aloft long after he swished his baseline 3-pointer. Gilbert Arenas, cheering in street clothes on the bench, must have been happy and jealous at the same time. "I had to tell him, he ain't the only one who can do it," said Blatche, laughing through his attempt to sound pretentious.

Darius Songaila, F/C - WAS
Songaila outplays Blatche Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.

Tinsley carries Pacers to OT win (AP)

Jamaal Tinsley scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Washington Wizards 119-110 on Wednesday night to give coach Jim O'Brien a win in his debut. Tinsley also had nine rebounds and eight assists. Mike Dunleavy had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Danny Granger added 20 points and 13 boards for the Pacers.