Bryant may face brief suspension after bout

LOS ANGELES -- There's rarely a dull moment with Shaq, Kobe & Crew, who have a knack for creating excitement when the regular season grind grows tedious.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, now best buddies, feuded last season. Then there was Shaq miffed at coach Phil Jackson for a time, Jackson taking some subtle potshots at O'Neal, then O'Neal taking a roundhouse shot at then-Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller about 1 1/2 months ago.

Just when O'Neal was back from his suspension and the two-time NBA champions were looking serene and formidable again, Bryant stirred things up by throwing a punch at Indiana's Reggie Miller.

It was a weird confrontation -- near center court, after the final buzzer, after the two hadn't even guarded each other or had much contact during Friday night's game.

Their brief bout -- which possibly will result in a suspension and fine for Bryant -- ended with a scrum on the scorers' table near the Pacers' bench, apparently with no serious injuries.

The only two guys who knew what really happened -- Bryant and Reggie Miller -- weren't talking after the Lakers' 96-84 win. Bryant did issue a statement through team spokesman John Black, saying, "If somebody comes at me, I'm going to defend myself."

By late Saturday, there was no word on any action from the NBA.

Bryant, who scored 25 points, and Miller, who had just five on 2-of-10 shooting, were walking toward each other, apparently trash-talking, when Bryant suddenly threw a punch.

It happened so quickly, even the other players and the coaches weren't quite sure what led up to the scuffle.

Indiana coach Isiah Thomas said words apparently were exchanged, and "I saw Kobe take a swing."

"Before I knew it, everyone was trying to grab each other and hold each other and make peace. I don't know what they were saying or what it was about," Thomas said.

Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said: "It was a hotly contested game, and a very physical game. I imagine there was a lot of talking going on. After the game, it looked like Kobe and Miller lined up and went after each other."

Williams faces court date

TRENTON, N.J. -- Prosecutors have said little about the fatal shooting of a limousine driver at Jayson Williams' estate, except that they believe the former NBA star was recklessly handling the shotgun.

Williams, charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Costas "Gus" Christofi, is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday.

William's lawyer, Joseph Hayden, does not expect much to happen at this week's hearing. Williams could enter a plea, but he is not required to do so until a grand jury hands down an indictment.

If he does enter a plea, it will be innocent, Hayden said.

Neither the prosecution nor the defense has said much else about what happened at the Alexandria Township mansion in the early hours of Feb. 14.

-- From wire services