Webber hurt in Philly loss

PHOENIX (AP) -- Steve Nash had a triple-double, Quentin Richardson set team records for 3-point shooting and the Phoenix Suns clinched their first Pacific Division title in 10 years by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 116-87 Wednesday night.

But an injury to Chris Webber could be the 76ers' biggest concern.

Webber injured his left shoulder, saying he ignored an inner voice that told him to sit out the second half.

Sixers coach Jim O'Brien described the injury as a strain, while Webber said it was a dislocation. He was to be re-examined when the team arrived back in Philadelphia.

"I would just say you should always listen to the doctor," said Webber, who had 12 points and six rebounds before leaving the game 2:31 into the third quarter. "He told me at halftime, 'Do not go back in.' "

Webber said he "tweaked" his surgically repaired left knee in the first half, but felt compelled to play after Phoenix took a 65-41 halftime lead. The 6-foot-10 forward joined the Sixers on Feb. 24 in a trade that sent Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson to Sacramento.

Nash, who played only 27 minutes, had a career-high 13 rebounds to go with 12 points and 12 assists. The stylish point guard drew a loud ovation with his 10th assist, a pass to Steven Hunter for a dunk that put Phoenix ahead 77-58 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.

Richardson broke Dan Majerle's franchise records for 3-pointers and 3-point attempts, set in 1994-95. Richardson went 4-for-11 from deep to finish with 201 made in 559 tries.

Majerle, a color commentator at courtside, pretended to wipe away a tear when Richardson made his 200th with 5:54 left in the second quarter.

Shawn Marion had 26 points and nine rebounds, Joe Johnson had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Jim Jackson scored 19 points for Phoenix, which learned just after tipoff that its magic number was one because of Sacramento's loss at Detroit.

Allen Iverson had 26 points for the Sixers. Andre Iguodala, with 10, was the only other Sixers starter in double figures.

The Suns had a 65-41 lead at halftime and were never threatened after that.

The Suns' other division titles came in 1980-91, 1992-93 and 1994-95, when they won 57, 62 and 59 games, respectively, for the three best marks in franchise history.

The Suns went on an 11-3 run to take a 27-21 lead with 1:55 left in the first quarter.

Philadelphia fought back, going up 33-32 on a jumper by Iverson with 8:10 remaining in the second.

But Jackson started a rally with three free throws, and Richardson took over, nailing three 3-pointers in a 2:09 span. Over the rest of the quarter, Phoenix outscored the Sixers 33-8, and Philadelphia's chances to rally dimmed when Webber went out.

Game notes
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix's leading scorer, sat out his second straight game to rest an inflamed left ankle. Coach Mike D'Antoni wasn't sure about his return. "He needs to be 100 percent before he can come back," D'Antoni said. "He says it's a lot better, so we'll see. ... Nash, who tied his best double-figure assists streak (12), had his only other triple-double for Dallas against Portland on Nov. 17, 2003. ... The Suns finished interconference play with a 24-6 record, their best winning percentage ever against the East. ... Iverson also had nine rebounds. ... Marc Jackson had 11 points and Rodney Rogers 10 off the bench for Philadelphia.