LOS ANGELES -- Testimony ended Wednesday in the trial to determine whether Donald Sterling's estranged wife can sell the Los Angeles Clippers in a proposed $2-billion deal with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Shelly Sterling, who had testified early in the trial, was expected to be the final witness, but her husband's lawyers decided not to call her back to the stand.
Instead, they called Dr. Jeffrey Cummings to discuss the protocol of examinations such as the ones given to Donald Sterling to determine his mental competency and ability to act as owner.
Most of his testimony drew objections from Shelly Sterling's attorneys, and the judge said he didn't see how it would help him reach a decision.
The trial will not be in session for the rest of the week. The two sides are scheduled to return for closing arguments on Monday.
The trial was full of emotion and drama, especially for a probate-court trial to determine technical legal and financial questions.
Most of the fireworks came from Donald Sterling, who shouted at attorneys for both sides, denounced the NBA and its commissioner for trying to oust him from the league over racist recordings, and at one point called Shelly Sterling a "pig" as she left the witness stand.
NBA team voids deal
for player over injury
DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks have voided the contract of Rashard Lewis because the free-agent forward needs surgery on his right knee.
President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Wednesday the team discovered the need for surgery during a physical. Lewis had signed a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.4 million.
The 34-year-old Lewis spent the past two seasons mostly coming off the bench in Miami. He averaged 4.5 points last season. He was expected to back up Dirk Nowitzki at power forward.
Lewis has played 16 seasons since skipping college to enter the draft and going 32nd overall to Seattle in 1998. He has career averages of 14.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Maverick guard pleads
guilty, spared jail term
NEW YORK -- Dallas Mavericks point guard Raymond Felton pleaded guilty Wednesday in a New York gun case, taking a plea deal that involved admitting a felony but spares him jail.
Felton pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. He admitted he knowingly had a large-capacity ammunition magazine and a semi-automatic pistol without a license.
"Are those charges true?" Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Larry Stephen asked.
"Yes, sir," Felton said, later adding in a soft voice: "I apologize. I realize what I did was wrong."
He was immediately sentenced to 500 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Rebold said Felton will be allowed to do the service outside New York.
If he complies, the case will be closed without jail time or probation.
WNBA veteran Hammon
retiring after 16th season
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Stars veteran Becky Hammon will retire after the season, her 16th in the WNBA.
The Stars said Wednesday that the team's all-time leader in assists, points per game and three-point field goals made has left an indelible mark on the league. The 37-year-old Hammon is a six-time All-Star who ranks seventh in history in total points (5,756), second in three-point field goals made (817), fourth in assists (1,663), sixth in games played (440) and first in free-throw percentage (89.6 percent, minimum 300 attempts).
The former Colorado State star signed with the New York Liberty after going unpicked in the 1999 WNBA Draft. She helped guide New York to six playoff appearances, and with the Stars reached the finals only to fall to Detroit in 2008.
Sports on 07/24/2014