NBA suspends Darren Collison for eight games because of domestic violence

Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison has been suspended eight games without pay by the NBA because of a domestic violence incident involving his wife.

Collison pleaded guilty Sept. 2 to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge resulting from the May 30 incident.

The NBA said Sunday it conducted its own investigation and consulted a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence before determining its penalty. Collison will lose about $380,000 of his $5.2 million salary this season.

His suspension begins with the Kings’ season opener on Oct. 26 and he will be eligible to return Nov. 8 against New Orleans.

Simmons might need surgery

No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons will likely need surgery for a broken bone in his right foot.

Philadelphia 76ers president Bryan Colangelo on Sunday said no decision had been made and there was no timetable for how long Simmons would be out of action.

Simmons fractured the fifth metatarsal bone during the 76ers’ final training camp scrimmage on Friday.

Simmons’ injury is the latest blow to a franchise that has been beset in recent years by injuries to draft lottery picks and has losing streaks of 26 and 28 games over the last three seasons.

“It’s likely that he’s going to require surgery,” Colangelo said. “That determination has not been made with 100 percent certainty, but it’s likely. That’s my best read on this so far.”

Etc.

The Houston Rockets gave Yao Ming a warm welcome and his Shanghai Sharks a rude one. James Harden had 16 points and 10 assists, and the Rockets beat the Sharks 131-94 on Sunday night in their exhibition opener. The Rockets had 72 points by halftime in their first game under Coach Mike D’Antoni.