BASKETBALL

SONICS’ ALLEN TO MISS REST OF SEASON WITH INJURED ANKLE Seattle SuperSonics’ All-Star guard Ray Allen will miss the rest of the regular season after decid ing to undergo surgery for bone spurs in his left ankle.

“It makes sense for Ray to go for ward and have the surgery,” Sonics general manager Rick Sund said yesterday. “He’s been playing with pain for some time now, and all par ties involved agree that this is what is best for Ray in the long run.”

Allen missed the last two games as the pain and discomfort in the ankle increased, and went to Los Angeles on Friday to meet with Dr Richard Ferkel, a noted specialist on ankle injuries.

NBA ADMONISHES ARENAS FOR MAKING $10 BETS WITH FANS Gilbert Arenas was admonished by the NBA for making $10 bets with fans during the Washington Wizards’ loss at Portland on Wednesday.

“We spoke to Gilbert and ex plained the issue to him,” NBA spokesman John Acunto said yes terday. “And he assured us he wouldn’t do anything like this again.”

Arenas made the bets as he ban tered with fans throughout the Wiz ards’ 100–98 loss. He was booed during pregame introductions and whenever he touched the ball be cause he had promised to score 50 points against the Trail Blazers.

TENNIS

SHARAPOVA EDGES VENUS AT KEY BISCAYNE The match included 25 double faults, one on a second serve that landed wide of the doubles alley. There were 91 unforced errors and 13 service breaks, resulting in 2 1/2 hours of fitful tennis before a stadium crowd that groaned at the mishits and missed chances.

Maybe one match every 20 months between Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams is enough.

The two Grand Slam champions played yesterday for the first time since the 2005 Wimbledon semifinals, and Sharapova was slightly less erratic, winning 2–6, 6–2, 7–5 in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open.

SOCCER

U.S. BEATS ECUADOR BEHIND DONOVAN’S HAT TRICK Newlywed Landon Donovan thinks he finally understands what it takes to be a leader on the U.S. soccer team.

“I got married this off-season and that’s helped me grow up,” the 25-year-old forward said yesterday after scoring three goals to lead the Americans over Ecuador 3–1 in an exhibition game yesterday.

“I’m now embracing a leadership role. I used to say: ‘I’d love to be a leader. I want to be a leader.’ But it’s not good enough to say it. You have to show it.”