Nowitzki hopes he's out just 1-2 weeks

The Dallas Mavericks got the MRI results on reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki yesterday, and the damaging diagnosis could have a direct impact on the team's playoff hopes. Nowitzki suffered a moderate high left ankle sprain and a mildly sprained left knee when he landed awkwardly after running to block a shot in Sunday's loss to San Antonio. Nowitzki said he's hoping to be out only one or two weeks. The regular season ends three weeks from tomorrow. "This is probably the most painful time to miss games," Nowitzki said, wearing a protective boot on his ankle. "That's very discouraging." The Mavericks (44-26) have lost three straight, and although they hold the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, they are just 1 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Denver.

Donnie Walsh's career with the Indiana Pacers will end after this season, giving the operation of the struggling franchise a single voice under Hall of Famer Larry Bird. The team's CEO and president since 1988, Walsh said he would step aside after this season, his 24th with the Pacers. He would not comment on his future, including media reports that he already has been talking with the Knicks about taking over as their president. "As far as what I'm going to do, I'm not sure," the 67-year-old Walsh said at a news conference in Indianapolis. The Knicks would not comment last night on an ESPN.com report, citing an unidentified source, that Walsh was expected to sign a three-year, $15 million contract with the Knicks at the end of this season to oversee their basketball operations . . . The Spurs re-signed guard Brent Barry, a month after trading him to Seattle. The SuperSonics waived Barry Feb. 21. Barry had to sit out 30 days before he could re-sign with San Antonio . . . Bucks guard Charlie Bell tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during Saturday's win over Cleveland and will miss at least two weeks, breaking a string of 191 consecutive appearances dating to the 2005-06 season.

The San Francisco 49ers have forfeited their fifth-round pick in next month's NFL draft after commissioner Roger Goodell deemed them guilty of tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs. Goodell also determined the teams will switch picks in the third round of the April 26-27 draft. Chicago, which had the 12th pick, will move up to San Francisco's seventh pick. Goodell determined that the 49ers violated the NFL's anti-tampering policy by contacting Briggs's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about his client during the 2007 season. Briggs had been designated as Chicago's franchise player, signing a one-year tender that meant he could not leave the Bears. He had been expected to leave as a free agent after last season but instead re-signed with Chicago. There had been reports of contact between the 49ers and Rosenhaus last season, and the Bears filed a tampering charge with the NFL. Goodell said both teams cooperated with his investigation into the allegations.

Chad Johnson skipped the start of the Bengals' offseason workouts, the latest move to show he's unhappy with how he's perceived in Cincinnati. The Bengals have said repeatedly that they have no intention of trading the star receiver. Also missing was wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but he's spending the offseason in California with a personal trainer. Johnson is staying away to make a point . . . The Titans started their offseason program without All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, whom Tennessee designated as its franchise player Feb. 20. Haynesworth is not under contract, so the only way he can take part would be to sign the tender worth $7.8 million . . . Former Jacksonville quarterback Quinn Gray signed a one-year contract with Houston, giving the Texans another experienced backup behind starter Matt Schaub . . . The Redskins agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman Jason Fabini, who started 13 games for Washington last season . . . The Eagles signed former Colts linebacker Rocky Boiman to a one-year contract . . . The Broncos signed unrestricted free agent center Casey Wiegmann to a two-year deal.

Rags to Riches, the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes in 2007, was retired in Delray Beach, Fla. The 3-year-old filly recently aggravated an injury to the pastern, which is an area between the ankle and the hoof . . . Detroit Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek has flu-like symptoms and is expected to miss tonight's road game against the St. Louis Blues. The Red Wings recalled former University of Maine goalie Jimmy Howard on an emergency basis from their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. . . . Following its Hockey East tournament title, Boston College rose from eighth to seventh in the USCHO.com men's poll. New Hampshire heads into the NCAA Tournament ranked fifth. Ending their seasons in the top 20 are Boston University (15th), Harvard (16th), and Vermont (18th) . . . Marleen Veldhuis (24.09 seconds in the women's 50-meter freestyle) and Federica Pellegrini (4:01.53 in the women's 400-meter freestyle) set world records at the European swimming championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, bringing to six the number of world marks lowered at the event . . . The first trial in the BALCO steroids case started in San Francisco, with former elite cyclist Tammy Thomas facing perjury and obstruction of justice charges. Federal prosecutors told the jury that Thomas lied in a 2003 appearance before the grand jury investigating BALCO . . . World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion Danny Green retired, saying he wanted to protect his health and spend more time with his family. Green (25-3, 22 KO's) had been preparing for a title defense against Hugo Garay April 27.