Kings forward Taylor gets five-game drug suspension

Sacramento Kings forward Maurice Taylor was suspended five games by the NBA on Wednesday for violating terms of the anti-drug program, his third suspension for substance-abuse violations.

Taylor sat out the first five games of the 2002-03 season, then served a six-game penalty during the 2003-04 season.

*

An Indianapolis judge ordered a Feb. 12 trial for Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who faces a felony charge of criminal recklessness and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct after allegedly firing a gun during a fight outside a strip club Oct. 6.

The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years.

The judge also set the same trial date for Deon Willford, who drove the car that hit Jackson during the fight.

*

Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia was suspended one game by the NBA for elbowing Seattle center Johan Petro in the neck and head in Tuesday’s loss.... Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Simmons will undergo the first of two surgical procedures Dec. 18 for a heel injury that has sidelined him all season, the team said. The team said there was no timetable for his return.