BASKETBALL

Nowitzki’s still ailing, may need knee surgery

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki hopes to avoid surgery after experiencing more swelling in his troublesome right knee.

Nowitzki missed his second straight preseason game Monday night. The 11-time All-Star said after the game he is going to reduce his workload over the next week and see if the swelling goes down in his knee, which has been drained twice over the past month.

The 2011 NBA finals MVP said if there is no improvement over the next few days, he may have no choice other than to have surgery, which would probably sideline him into the regular season.

“I guess that it’s obvious that I don’t want (surgery) done,” Nowitzki said. “If it’s going to keep swelling up on me, that’s not a way to go through an 82-game season and hopefully a long playoff run.”

• Mavericks guard Delonte West was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

Team spokeswoman Sarah Melton said Coach Rick Carlisle didn’t indicate how long the suspension would be. She declined to provide further details.

• King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn signed legislation on the funding plan for construction of an arena that could be used to lure the NBA back to Seattle.

The executives signed the deal after a negotiated memorandum of understanding between the city, county and investor Chris Hansen was approved by the city and county councils a day earlier.

The plan calls for a $490 million arena built in the area where Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field are located, with $200 million coming in public financing. The arena plan is still subject to environmental reviews.

HOCKEY

AHL: The Portland Pirates signed forward Evan Brophey to a professional tryout contract.

Last season, Brophey, 25, led the AHL Lake Erie Monsters in scoring with 18 goals and 21 assists. He also appeared in three NHL games with Colorado Avalanche.

TENNIS

LUXEMBOURG OPEN: Venus Williams cruised through her first match since the U.S. Open, beating 15-year-old WTA rookie Belinda Bencic 6-3, 6-1 in the first round.

Williams struggled with a back problem at the U.S. Open but said she felt better in her return to the court, breaking Bencic five times and losing her own serve once.

COLLEGES

PENN STATE: Penn State will not renew the contract of AD Tim Curley, who has been on leave since being charged last year with perjury and failing to report a child sex abuse allegation against Jerry Sandusky.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Julia Rafferty and Maggie Coco scored in the second half as Bates (4-7-1) shut out Southern Maine (2-12) 2-0 at Gorham.

Rafferty sent a shot from the top of the 18-yard box off the right post and into the net in the 55th minute for a 1-0 lead.

Following a pass from Sam Rose, Coco kicked the ball past goalie Katie Cobb (nine saves) and inside the left post for her first collegiate goal in the 69th.

• Unity outscored SMCC 3-0 on penalty kicks to win a Yankee Small College Conference Eastern Division playoff game 3-2 in Unity.

MEN’S SOCCER: SMCC beat Central Maine Community College 2-0 in South Portland to advance to the Yankee Small College Conference final four tournament.

SMCC and UM-Machias join the top two teams of the Western Division for the YSCC final four tournament.

Matt McClure and Kyle Steifken scored for SMCC. Robby Griffin made 11 saves for the shutout.

FOOTBALL

NEFL: The Southern Maine Raging Bulls will host the North Shore Generals in the New England Football League North Conference championship 8 p.m. Saturday at Deering High’s Memorial Field.

Both are 10-2 and the winner will play either the Connecticut Panthers or the Western Mass Warriors of the Southern Conference for the league’s AAA championship and a shot at the national championship.

—From staff and news servicesis