Iverson is reported to weigh retirement

WASHINGTON -- Memphis owner Michael Heisley said he is not sure of what Allen Iverson's plans are, though he hopes Iverson returns to the Grizzlies soon.

Heisley granted the 10-time all-star and former Bethel-Hampton standout permission Saturday for an indefinite leave to deal with a personal matter. The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported yesterday that Iverson is contemplating retirement.

"I'm not in Allen's head. I don't know what he's thinking," Heisley said.

However, Heisley said Iverson, 34, is struggling playing at what the guard feels is less than his previous best.

Iverson, who signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal in September, missed the preseason with a partially-torn left hamstring. He made his Grizzlies' debut on the road a week ago in California, playing in three games at Sacramento, Golden State and in Los Angeles with the Lakers.

Heisley said he spent two days in California talking with Iverson and hopes his biggest star can get his personal life in order. He would love to see Iverson playing for the first time in Memphis tonight when the Grizzlies host Portland, but Heisley said he did not put any timetable on his return.

James out 4-5 weeks

Washington Wizards backup guard Mike James is expected to miss up to five weeks with a broken bone in his left hand. The injury was diagnosed two days after James was hurt in practice.

Elsewhere

• Sacramento Kings leading scorer Kevin Martin underwent surgery on his injured left wrist and is expected to miss at least eight weeks. Sacramento has won both games since Martin was sidelined. He is averaging 30.6 points.

• San Antonio star Tim Duncan has a swollen left ankle that will keep him on the bench with Tony Parker. The Spurs said MRI tests on Duncan revealed no structural damage. Parker was already out with a left ankle injury of his own.

Last night's games:

SUNS 119, 76ERS 115: Jason Richardson scored 29 points, Steve Nash added 21 points and tied his season-high with 20 assists and visiting Phoenix beat Philadelphia.

The Suns eclipsed the 100-point barrier for the eighth straight game to open a season, which hadn't happened since the 1990-91 season.

Jared Dudley contributed 18 and Amare Stoudemire added 17 for the Suns.

JAZZ 95, KNICKS 93: Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko each scored 23 points, and Utah won in New York for the first time in more than five years.