Updated: October 27, 2004, 10:08 PM ET

Slimmer King: Night off just a gift

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Sacramento Kings: Although his much-talked-about left knee caused Chris Webber to miss several early practices in preseason, the veteran forward who missed 50 games last season says all is well right now.

A slimmed-down Webber ran the court effectively against New Orleans on Saturday, showing a burst of quickness going to the basket on several occasions. Although his shot was not falling initially, Webber played 35 minutes and finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Afterward, he made it clear a missed game in Utah one night earlier was just a nice gesture from his coach and nothing more.

"We have a coach that takes care of everybody," Webber said, indicating he could have played.

New York Knicks: The Knicks waived veteran forward Tracy Murray on Wednesday.

Seeking a perimeter shooter, the Knicks signed 33-year-old Murray on Oct. 4. However, he averaged just 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds in five preseason games.

A 12-year veteran, Murray has appeared in 659 career games for Portland, Houston, Toronto, Washington, Denver and the Lakers, averaging 9.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.

The league leader in 3-point percentage in 1993-94, the 6-7 forward played in seven games for the Trail Blazers last season, averaging 1.1 points.

Chicago Bulls: Forward Tyson Chandler had to be carried off the floor after a nasty fall in the third quarter against Indiana on Wednesday night.

Chandler collided with Pacers guard Stephen Jackson as he tried to block Jackson's layup attempt.

Chandler's legs came out from underneath him and he landed flat on his back under the basket. He writhed on the floor for several minutes before being helped off by team trainers.

Chandler bruised his right hip on the play and did not return.

Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets have trimmed their roster to 16, releasing guards Mitchell Butler and Melvin Sanders.

Sanders, a rookie free agent from Oklahoma State who also can play forward, averaged 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in three preseason games for the Nuggets.

Butler had two points and three rebounds two preseason games.

Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said he didn't expect to make any more cuts until after Denver's final two preseason games this week.

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs signed guard Mike Wilks, who was waived by the Bulls in training camp.

Wilks played in 26 games off the bench with the Rockets last season and averaged 1.9 points and 0.7 assists in 5.6 minutes.

Wilks, who is 5-11, split the 2002-03 season with the Hawks and Timberwolves, appearing in 46 games. He played in 31 of the Timberwolves' final 32 games, averaging 2.0 points and 10.5 minutes per contest.

The Spurs also waived guard Marque Perry, who averaged 3.6 points and 2.6 assists in five preseason games with the Spurs.

New Jersey Nets: Free-agent forwards Damone Brown and Darius Rice have been waived.

Rice, the nephew of NFL star receiver Jerry Rice, averaged 2 points in seven games. Brown appeared in five exhibition games, averaging 1 point.

Both players were signed before the opening of training camp.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers waived guard Nate Johnson and center Ike Nwanko on Wednesday, leaving them with 16 players on their roster.

Johnson, a free agent from Nebraska, averaged three points in two preseason games, scoring six points in four minutes against Seattle on Monday.

Nwanko, a free-agent from Long Beach State, averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in four preseason games.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns have waived guard Derrick Dial, reducing their roster to 15 players.

Dial was cut from the squad after Tuesday night's 103-93 preseason victory over the Sonics. Dial appeared in four preseason games, averaging four points and 9.7 minutes per contest.

The roster must be reduced to 12 for next week's season opener.

Ceballos signs with ABA team
Cedric Ceballos, a former NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk champion, has signed with the Los Angeles Stars of the American Basketball Association.

Ceballos, 35, played in 609 NBA games and averaged 14.8 points. He scored a career-high 50 points as a member of the Suns in a December 20, 1994, game against Minnesota.

However, Ceballos is best known for his famous blindfolded dunk in the 1992 Slam Dunk contest. He averaged a career-high 21.7 points for the Lakers in 1994-95, when he was selected to the All-Star team.

"With the signing of Cedric, we are delighted to have this seasoned veteran to go along with the young players we signed," Stars general manager Burrel Lee said.

Information from The Associated Press and SportsTicker was used in this report.