NBA ROUNDUP : Threatt Rejoins Lakers, to Be Fined for Walkout

Sedale Threatt, who began an unexplained absence from the Lakers last Saturday, rejoined the team at a Friday morning practice, the Lakers said.

Threatt will be fined for missing three preseason games and any practices since he went AWOL last Saturday in Honolulu, Public Relations Director John Black said.

It had been reported Threatt was unhappy with his contract, which has two seasons remaining. But Black said Friday he was told Threatt’s absence was due to unspecified “personal reasons” having nothing to do with his contract.

Threatt, a 33-year-old backup at both point guard and shooting guard, is entering his fourth season with the Lakers after being obtained in 1991 from Seattle in exchange for three second-round draft picks.

He was among the Laker scoring leaders in 1991-92 and the following season with 15.1 points per game each year. But his playing time declined during the Lakers’ youth movement in 1993-94, and his average fell to 11.9 points per game.

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Philadelphia center Shawn Bradley will miss up to six weeks with sprained ligaments in the same knee that kept him off the basketball court for 2 1/2 months last season, the 76ers said Friday.

The 7-foot-6 center injured his left knee and skipped off the court in pain during Philadelphia’s 105-98 exhibition victory Wednesday over Minnesota. Last season, his first in the NBA after being drafted second overall in 1993, he suffered a dislocated kneecap in the same leg and missed 32 games.

Team doctor Jack McPhilemy also said forward Scott Williams will miss a week because of a sprained back.

“When an injury like this occurs, you always fear the worst,” said John Lucas, the team’s coach and general manager. “However, we are relieved that the diagnosis for both Shawn and Scott is optimistic, and that both will be back with us in the very near future.”

Team spokesman Joe Favorito said Bradley’s two injuries were related, but the latest problem centered on the way Bradley came down and landed on Doug West’s foot.

“Is it related to a chronic problem?” Favorito said. “Not at this time.”

If Bradley heals quickly, he could be ready in a month, Lucas said.

The injuries leave Philadelphia thin along its front line. Bradley and Williams were expected to start with first-round pick Sharone Wright.

The Sixers were hoping for a big season out of Bradley after he underwent a strenuous weight program with former Mr. Universe Lee Haney and workouts with NBA career scoring leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Bradley signed an eight-year, $44.2 million contract, and averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds and blocked 147 shots in 49 games last season.