Report: Johnson still in Dodgers running
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Former NBA star Magic Johnson remains in contention to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers after an elimination round, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
Citing "multiple people familiar with the process but not authorized to discuss it," the newspaper said the former Los Angeles Lakers great and partner Stan Kasten were among seven bidders approved by a Major League Baseball ownership committee to continue their quests for the bankrupt team.
The Times also identified the other prospective Dodgers owners still in the running.
They include Connecticut investor Steven Cohen, Stanley Gold and the family of the late Roy Disney, New York media executive Leo Hindery, St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, California real estate developer Alan Casden and Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Two other bidders were reportedly eliminated: Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and Milwaukee Brewers minority investor Tony Ressler.
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is hoping to fetch more than $1.5 billion for the team, analysts say.
Canucks get Pahlsson from Blue Jackets
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Center Samuel Pahlsson was dealt from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Vancouver Canucks in a trade deadline deal Monday, the teams said.
Defenseman Taylor Ellington and a pair of fourth-round picks in the 2012 NHL entry draft were sent to the Blue Jackets in exchange for the 34-year-old Swede.
Pahlsson, a defensive specialist, has two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 61 games this season while racking up 66 goals and 127 assists for 193 points over 11 NHL seasons with Boston, Anaheim, Chicago and Columbus.
Meanwhile, the Canucks sent center Cody Hodgson to the Buffalo Sabres for right wing Zack Kassian.
A former first-round draft pick, Hodgson has picked up 16 goals and 17 assists in 63 games this season, while Kassian has collected three goals and seven points in 27 games for Buffalo.
Also as part of the trade, the Sabres sent defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani to the Canucks for fellow blueliner Alexander Sulzer.
In a third deal, the Canucks obtained right wing Andrew Gordon from the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Sebastien Erixon.
Kobe Bryant has broken nose
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant's nose was broken when he was hit by Dwyane Wade during the NBA All-Star Game, the team said.
The Lakers said Bryant sustained a nasal fracture and was to be re-evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist Monday after returning to Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Bryant, who scored 27 points in the West's victory Sunday night in Orlando, Fla., skipped a post-game media session, saying he was experiencing "headaches," the newspaper said.
It appeared Bryant was hurt in the third quarter when he was fouled by Wade. He hit his first free throw before going to the bench to have a trainer examine his bloody nose. He then made his second foul shot.
Minutes later, he surpassed Michael Jordan's record of 262 points for most post-season points, finishing 271 career points by game's end.
A's Sizemore hurts knee, out for season
PHOENIX, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore tore a knee ligament and will miss the entire 2012 season, the team said Monday.
Sizemore, 27, was being counted on by the A's to be their starting third baseman this season after batting .245 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI over 110 games in 2011.
Instead, he will be put on injured reserve after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Saturday during Oakland's first full-squad workout.
Sizemore was obtained from the Detroit Tigers in May for pitcher David Purcey.
The former fifth-round draft pick has put up a .239 batting average with 14 homers and 70 RBI in two major-league seasons.
