NBA-National Basketball Association roundup

Feb 28 (The Sports Xchange) - Longtime NBA player Anthony Mason, who helped the New York Knicks reach the 1994 NBA Finals, died early Saturday morning at the age of 48. Mason, a 13-year NBA veteran, had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this month. He was in the hospital for nearly a month while recovering from multiple heart surgeries and heart attacks. "First I want to thank all those who offered prayers and well-wishes for my father, our family really appreciates it," his son, Anthony Mason Jr., said Saturday. "Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother ... but more than anything our father, Anthony Mason. As you all would expect our father -- Big Mase -- put up an incredible fight, dealing with a severe heart issue. I'm wishing this was something else I was writing, but Pops we've got to let you know we love you and know you'll always be with us." Mason, a 6-foot-7 forward, played for the Knicks from 1991-1996 and then for the Charlotte Hornets until 2000. He won the NBA's Sixth Man Award in 1994-95 as a member of the Knicks. He also played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat. He made his only All-Star team in 2001 with the Heat. His physical play was a huge part of then-coach Pat Riley's Knicks teams. Mason teamed with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks to help the Knicks win the Eastern Conference in 1994 and reach the NBA Finals. They lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. - - - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook underwent a successful procedure Saturday to address a fracture to his right cheek. Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced the procedure to the zygomatic arch of Westbrook's cheek was performed in Los Angeles. Westbrook suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday when onrushing teammate Andre Roberson inadvertently kneed him in the face. Westbrook had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the game. Westbrook, 26, will miss Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and will be re-evaluated later in the week. In 45 games this season, Westbrook is averaging 26.5 points, 8.1 assists and 6.8 rebounds in 33 minutes per game. He missed 14 games in November because of a fracture in his right hand. - - - Center Festus Ezeli of the Golden State Warriors was suspended by the NBA for one game for initiating an altercation with forward-center Tyler Hansbrough of the Toronto Raptors. Ezeli grabbed Hansbrough by the throat during the scuffle, which resulted in Ezeli being ejected in the third quarter of the Warriors' 113-89 victory on Friday night in Toronto. Ezeli will serve his suspension on Sunday, when the Warriors play at Boston. (Editing by Gene Cherry)