Florida Sentinel Bulletin

With their 96-92 defeat to Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers lost more than just a costly game in their desperate attempt to salvage a postseason berth.

They also lost the one player capable of not just leading them to the playoffs, but also causing havoc when they get there. Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s night came to a disappointing end. He missed a potential game-tying jumper on the baseline, then landed awkwardly on the right foot of Atlanta Hawks guard Dahntay Jones. Bryant crumbled to the floor, remained there for several seconds, then hobbled over to the L.A. bench with the help of a trainer.

The initial diagnosis brought with it the possible end of the Lakers’ semi-magical run.

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has remained steadfast in his decision to come back from ACL surgery at full strength. Although Rose has practiced with the team for more than a month, he could be less than 100 percent because of a hamstring issue.

Rose told ESPN’s Doris Burk his hamstrings have been “on fire” following workouts. The desire to be able to dunk off his left knee remains another prerequisite Rose has yet to reach, despite reports he received medical clearance from the Chicago Bulls.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said the Bulls plan to worry about the players they have available as Rose focuses on rehab.

PHOENIX— The Arizona Cardinals have released running back Beanie Wells after four injury-plagued seasons.

A first-round pick in 2009, Wells showed flashes of the brilliance he had at Ohio State, but has only played one full season — his rookie year.

Wells eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2011, but was limited to eight games last season due to a turf toe injury. Last season, he ran for 234 yards and eight touchdowns as part of what was the worst offense in the NFL. The move leaves the team thin at running back, with even more injury-plagued Ryan Williams the main returner.

Williams missed all of his rookie 2011 season and most of last season with injuries.

MIAMI — It’s not a LeBron James winning streak. It’s a Miami Heat winning streak.

If there was any confusion on that point, the reigning NBA champions might have cleared that up Sunday night. Mario Chalmers scored 26 points, Chris Bosh added 24 and the Heat won their 18th straight game, easily topping the Indiana Pacers 105-91 – even with James scoring only a season-low 13, yet clearly helping control play with seven assists and six rebounds.

The streak ties the seventh longest in NBA history, and is the league’s best since the Boston Celtics won 19 straight in November and December 2008. Ray Allen added 11 for Miami (47-14), which now has a victory over every NBA team this season.

The Heat had been 0-2 against the Pacers.

NEW YORK — Amare Stoudemire needs surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss six weeks, a stunning blow to the New York Knicks as they chase the Atlantic Division title.

Stoudemire, who had been playing well off the bench, will have the procedure to remove tissue within the week, the Knicks said Saturday before their game against the Utah Jazz. Stoudemire missed the first 30 games after having the same surgery, called a debridement, on his left knee during the preseason. He returned on New Year’s Day and has averaged 14.2 points in 29 games as a reserve.

The Knicks were also without Carmelo Anthony, sitting out his third straight game with a sore and stiff right knee. But the Stoudemire news was a surprise, since there was no indication there had been any problem with his surgically repaired knees until Saturday morning.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals released Adrian Wilson on Friday, bringing an end to the hard-hitting, five-time Pro Bowl strong safety’s 12 seasons with the team.

Wilson, who had been the longest-tenured player on the team, took a pay cut to stay with the Cardinals before last season. But he knew as it was winding down that it would be his final one in the desert, especially when Rashad Johnson took a big chunk of his playing time.

Wilson, one of six NFL players with 25 interceptions and 25 sacks, made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and every year from 2008 through 2011. He had 27 interceptions and 25 1/2 sacks, including eight in 2005, which were the most ever by a defensive back.

The 33-year-old safety played in 181 games with Arizona, fifth-most in team history, and was a team captain five times, including last season. Friday’s move clears about $3 million in salary cap space.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have released linebacker James Harrison after the team and the hard-hitting defensive star who played on two Super Bowl champions failed to agree on a new contract. The Steelers made the announcement Saturday.

Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement that ‘’James has been an integral part of our success during his years in Pittsburgh and has helped us win two Lombardi trophies during that time. We appreciate all of his efforts and wish him the best.’‘

Harrison was voted AP’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after setting a team record with 16 sacks. The five-time Pro Bowl player has the longest interception return in Super Bowl history, a 100-yarder for a score against the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.

As the May 4 fight date steadily inches closer, the fathers of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero have started their own quarrel in the press, badmouthing one another and threatening physical violence against each other.

After Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs) said how sweet it will be to beat Mayweather, Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs) with Mayweather, Sr. back in his corner via social media, Floyd, Sr. took offense to the statement and issued a warning to Guerrero and his father, Ruben Guerrero.

Mayweather, Sr.said. “Guerrero is gonna be in trouble if he thinks he’s kicking my son’s a**, and like I told the reporter that came into the gym the other day.

PYONGYANG, North Korea— Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman is heading to North Korea with VICE media company — tattoos, piercings, bad-boy reputation and all. The American known as “The Worm” is set to arrive Tuesday in Pyongyang, becoming an unlikely ambassador for sports diplomacy at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

Rodman, three members of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, a VICE correspondent and a production crew from the company are visiting North Korea to shoot footage for a new TV show set to air on HBO in early April, VICE said in an exclusive interview before the group’s departure from Beijing.