Malone’s Decision Due Soon

Following a visit with the Spurs on Saturday, Karl Malone’s agent said Monday that if Malone decides to play again, it probably will be for San Antonio.

Malone, 41, is expected to make an announcement about his future before the Feb. 18-20 All-Star break, perhaps even this week.

“If he would choose to play, the likeliest candidate would be the Spurs, which is a team he almost played for a year and a half ago,” Dwight Manley said.

Manley said Malone, who underwent knee surgery last summer, works out daily but has not been playing basketball.

Malone stopped in San Antonio to meet with All-Star forward Tim Duncan and Coach Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Express-News reported Sunday.

Malone was en route to his home in Newport Beach from his Arkansas ranch.

Malone, who played last season for the Lakers after 18 seasons in Utah, had once said he would return only to the Lakers. That changed late last year after Malone was accused by Kobe Bryant of making a pass at his wife. Malone, through Manley, denied the accusation and apologized to Bryant and his wife for any remarks she might have considered inappropriate.

*

Despite suffering a season-ending injury, Nugget guard Voshon Lenard has recovered enough to defend his title in the Feb. 19 three-point shootout at All-Star Weekend in Denver.

Lenard, who suffered a torn left Achilles’ tendon in the regular-season opener against the Lakers, dethroned two-time champion Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings last year.

The field of six includes five of the top nine in three-pointers made, although overall percentage leader Fred Hoiberg of the Minnesota Timberwolves is not entered.

The field also features the Philadelphia 76ers’ Kyle Korver and two sets of teammates in Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson of the Phoenix Suns and Ray Allen and Vladimir Radmanovic of the Seattle SuperSonics.

*

The Atlanta Hawks put forward Al Harrington on the injured list because of tendinitis in his right knee.