Hardaway’s return ends with his release

Penny Hardaway was waived Wednesday by the Miami Heat, a move that cleared a roster spot the team needed to sign another former first-round draft pick -- guard Luke Jackson.

“It was a business decision more than anything else,� Heat Coach Pat Riley said. “We tried to do something last week. We couldn’t. But you never know. He may be back. We’ll just see what happens over the next month.�

Hardaway, 36, signed a non-guaranteed contract this summer after recovering from an array of injuries that kept him off the court for nearly three full seasons. He started eight times, but averaged only 3.8 points on 37% shooting.

Raptors guard T.J. Ford was released from an Atlanta hospital and flew home to Toronto, one day after his head struck the floor and he was removed from the court on a stretcher.

Toronto’s medical staff will conduct their own assessment of Ford’s condition. No timetable was given for his return.

Ford was injured when Atlanta rookie Al Horford knocked him down on a breakaway. Horford was ejected with a flagrant foul.

Ford was injured in a February 2004 collision with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Mark Madsen, then missed the final 26 games of that season and the entire next season because of neck surgery.

Stephon Marbury, still grieving the Dec. 2 death of his father, may not play again this week after missing his second straight game, the team said. Marbury played in two games after the funeral but left the team Sunday and hasn’t returned. . . . An Illinois Appellate Court ruled in favor of retired great Michael Jordan in a five-year legal dispute, saying an agreement was “unenforceable� and “voidable� with Karla Knafel, who alleged he promised her $5 million to keep quiet over the paternity of a child that turned out not to be Jordan’s.