76ers’ Webber anxious to return from leg injury

From wire reports

Chris Webber has said all the right things about $ tting in better this year with the Philadelphia 76ers and feeling like he can coexist

with Allen Iverson.

Now the $ ve- time All-

Star power forward seems set to prove it on the court.

After missing the $ rst six preseason games with a strained right quadriceps, Webber was set to make his debut when the 76ers played the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

“ I’m de $ nitely looking forward to getting back out on that G oor and shooting and running back in the ( Wachovia Center),” Webber said after Monday’s practice.

Webber had been limited in practice since he was hit in the thigh at

NBA

Back in action: Chris Webber’s quadriceps is healthy enough to play. practice nearly two weeks ago, but he went all out Monday and even stayed late to work out some post moves with center Samuel Dalembert.

Garnett sits:

Kevin Garnett sat out of Minnesota’s intrasquad scrimmage Monday night because of a sprained ankle. Coach Dwane Casey said the injury, which occurred while the Timberwolves practiced before the scrimmage, was not serious. However, Garnettwon’t play in tonight’s preseason game against Chicago. He has been used sparingly in exhibition games this month to keep him fresh for the regular season.

Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points in the scrimmage. Itwas the $ rst time the forward has played in game conditions since spraining his foot two weeks ago.

Jump shots:

Los Angeles Clippers guard Shaun Livingston will be out four weeks because of a back injury. Livingston has been sidelined since the start of training camp. Because of Livingston’s injury, the Clippers signed point guard Anthony Goldwire. . . . Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster likely will miss the start of the season because of a sore Achilles’ tendon. “ It’s de$nitely frustrating sitting and watching,” the 6- foot- 11 Foster said Monday. “ I want to be part of the team. . . . The Chicago Bulls have exercised their fourth- year option on guard Kirk Hinrich for the 2006-07 season. Terms were not disclosed. In his two seasons with the Bulls, Hinrich has averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.46 steals a game. . . . Carlos Boozer, Utah’s leading scorer ( 17.8) and rebounder ( 9.0) last season until he was hurt in February, was likely to miss the Jazz’s exhibition games Tuesday and today because of a strained left hamstring.

By Gerry Broome, AP