http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Am8bTUVhle9KzBAT0ThRHHG8vLYF?slug=ap-m
agic-francissuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Orlando Magic indefinitely suspended Steve
Francis
because he refused to play late in the fourth quarter of a blowout, two
newspapers reported Friday.
The Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today, both citing anonymous sources,
said
the star guard wouldn't re-enter Wednesday night's game against Seattle to
replace Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu had fouled out with 3 minutes, 22 seconds
left and the Magic trailing 103-87.
Magic spokesman Joel Glass told The Associated Press on Friday the team
had
no comment on the reports. Orlando has said only that Francis was
suspended
for "conduct detrimental to the team."
Coach Brian Hill also would not confirm the reports.
"I'm just going to leave it as it is," he said from the team's shootaround
in Portland, Ore., before a game against the Trail Blazers. "It's an
internal matter that we're going to handle from within, without commenting
on it."
Hill said he planned to call Francis before the team returns to Orlando on
Monday.
"We just want to try to get the situation resolved," he said.
Video footage showed Hill pointing to Francis to check into the game.
However, the point guard shook his head, said something to Hill and did
not
get up from the bench. Hill approached Francis and the two continued to
talk. Stacey Augmon replaced Turkoglu.
"He wouldn't go back into the game," the source told Florida Today.
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