Across the NBA

GRIZZLIES: Officially ended their relationship with Allen Iverson by waiving the 10-time All-Star. Memphis announced Monday it had mutually agreed to end a one-year contract with the former league MVP. But the team did not waive Iverson until late Tuesday afternoon.

The New York Knicks passed on a chance to sign Iverson last summer. While they weren't interested during the off-season, they won't rule him out yet.

Coach Mike D'Anton i and team president Donnie Walsh both praised Iverson's abilities, but said the organization still had to discuss whether it's worth bringing him to a 1-9 team that is off to the worst 10-game start in franchise history.

CAVALIERS: Shaquille O'Neal and Anderson Varejao were inactive for Cleveland's game against Golden State on Tuesday.

Varejao was scratched with a hip contusion. O'Neal a strained shoulder, and coach Mike Brown doesn't either of them back for tonight's game at Washington.

CELTICS: Forward Paul Pierce returned to practice after missing a day with a sore left knee. Pierce and head coach Doc Rivers both say they expect him to be available against Golden State tonight.

MAGIC: Point guard Jameer Nelson needs surgery again.

The All-Star will have arthroscopic surgery today on torn cartilage in his left knee and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

WARRIORS: Swingman Kelenna Azubuike will undergo surgery today to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

THUNDER: Forward Shaun Livingston had surgery Tuesday to remove staples from an earlier procedure on his left knee. There is no timetable for his return.

HIRED: Eight-time All-Star Dikembe Mutombo is joining the NBA as a global ambassador.

The league announced Mutombo's hiring to the newly created position Tuesday.