Wilkens Leaning Toward Resigning as Knick Coach

Lenny Wilkens indicated during a meeting Friday night with New York Knick President Isiah Thomas that he would probably resign as the New York Knick coach, two NBA sources told the Associated Press.

The resignation will probably come this morning when the team holds practice, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The meeting came just after New York had lost to Houston, the Knicks’ ninth defeat in their last 10 games. It was unclear who would take over as coach of the Knicks.

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Indiana Pacer forward Ron Artest will return to practice next week for the first time since being suspended for the rest of the season after fighting with Detroit fans on Nov. 19. Pacer Chief Executive Donnie Walsh said Friday that the Pacers had been working with Commissioner David Stern and the league to get Artest to practice, but stressed that he has not been reinstated. Artest will not be able to attend games or go on trips.

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The Portland Trail Blazers waived forward Qyntel Woods the same day the player pleaded guilty to abusing his pit bull. Woods, 23, appeared in court to enter the misdemeanor plea, part of an agreement after an investigation into allegations of dog fighting.

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The Detroit Pistons acquired point guard Carlos Arroyo from Utah in a trade that sent center Elden Campbell and a first-round pick after 2006 to the Jazz.

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Don Poier, the longtime voice of the Memphis Grizzlies, died suddenly Friday, hours before the team was to play the Denver Nuggets. He was 53. A Grizzlies spokeswoman said the cause of death was not known.... Washington Wizard forward Kwame Brown will remain sidelined for at least another three weeks because of an injured ankle.