"Yes," said Bill Walton, the injured Celtic center, "but it was when we were 45 points ahead."

Another injured center, Bobby Holik, has played just one game because of a broken finger on his left hand.

The accompanying piece claimed that Real was after Ivanović as a replacement for their injured centre back Pepe.

Louisville (15-3, 4-0) played its first game without the injured center, Pervis Ellison.

But in the third period, Buffalo had more energy and depth than the Rangers, who played without two injured centers against a foe who knows them well.

The Rockets, playing without the injured center, Akeem Olajuwon, had cut a 90-81 deficit to 90-87 at the end of the third quarter.

Dave Feitl started in place of the injured center.

This was against a team playing without three injured centers.

Both teams agreed to let "Stayer" play in the place of the injured center.

The fact that the Badgers were without their injured center, Rashard Griffith, might not have made a difference.