Bruised ankle sidelines Sonics' Allen

Ray Allen, the Seattle SuperSonics' leading scorer, will be out at least the next six games because of a bruised talus bone in his right ankle, but the six-time All-Star might be able to avoid surgery. Allen will remain in Seattle and get treatment while the Sonics embark on a five-game road trip . . . Steve Francis, a candidate to be removed from the New York Knicks' starting lineup after struggling to adjust to a reduced offensive role, won't be seeing any action in the near future, according to a New York Times report. The guard will miss several days or perhaps weeks because of tendinitis in his right knee . . . Jermaine O'Neal missed the Indiana Pacers' game against Portland because of a sore left hamstring . . . The Memphis Grizzlies' Pau Gasol has been cleared for full contact drills as he recovers from a broken left foot . . . Charlotte Bobcats point guard Brevin Knight will be sidelined until at least the middle of next week with a strained left calf . . . New Jersey Nets owner Bruce Ratner's $4.2 billion Atlantic Yards development project was approved by the Empire State Development Corp., a major step forward in his bid to move the team to Brooklyn . . . Former Duke star Jay Williams, trying to make it back from severe injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident three years ago, is resuming his comeback with the Austin Toros of the NBA's Development League.

Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, who suffered ligament damage in the thumb of his throwing hand during Monday's loss to Philadelphia, did not practice for a third straight day. It's now more likely that Chris Weinke will start for the Panthers tomorrow against the Giants . . . Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson was fined $5,000 by the league for throwing his helmet against Philadelphia . . . Broncos kicker Jason Elam (left hamstring) said he will play tomorrow against San Diego. Denver middle linebacker Al Wilson (neck) said his status is "50-50." . . . Giants kicker Jay Feely hit the six 50-yard field goals he attempted in practice, two days after feeling soreness in his foot . . . Bengals rookie receiver Reggie McNeal faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous drug stemming from his arrest earlier this week outside a Houston nightclub. McNeal, already charged with resisting arrest, had a cigarette that contained an antihistamine sometimes used as a sedative, a Houston police spokesman said . . . Titans rookie LenDale White (hip flexor strain) missed his third consecutive day of practice . . . Running back Ladell Betts signed a five-year, $11 million contract extension with the Redskins.

Argentina's Andres Romero and Angel Cabrera shot a 4-under-par 67, building a three-shot lead after two rounds of the World Cup at St. James, Barbados. Scotland's team of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren (67) is in a three-way tie for second with Sweden (70) and Germany (69). The US team (Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry) managed only a 2-over 73 to fall eight shots off Argentina's pace.

American Shauna Rohbock had never won as a driver in a World Cup bobsled race until this season. After two races, she has two gold medals. Rohbock and Valerie Fleming won for the second straight week, setting a women's track record in Park City, Utah, with their second run of 48.73 seconds, which broke the mark of 48.81 that Americans Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers set while winning gold at the 2002 Olympics . . . As Peter Forsberg continues his search for a specialized skate boot to stabilize his right foot and surgically repaired ankle, the Philadelphia Flyers expect to be without their star center for the next four games, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported . . . Kris Versteeg scored two goals and the host Providence Bruins capitalized on four of nine power plays to defeat the Portland Pirates, 6-3 . . . Nextel Cup driver Greg Biffle dislocated his right shoulder in a fiery accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Thursday . . . US skaters dominated the short programs at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Sofia, Bulgaria. Stephen Carriere of Wakefield, Mass., led with 59.46 points. Caroline Zhang of Irvine, Calif., had 56.28 points . . . Guy Morse, the Boston Marathon's race director from 1985-2000 and executive director of the Boston Athletic Association since 2001, is this year's winner of the Will Cloney Award for continuing service to the sport of road running, particularly in the Boston area.