The Associated Press is reporting that the Charlotte-Memphis game was delayed and almost 12,000 people had to be evacuated from FedEx Forum Sunday afternoon after authorities said a small fire broke out in an elevator shaft.

It was quickly extinguished and fire officials were venting smoke and preparing to let people re-enter the arena at about 3:20 p.m. -- nearly 20 minutes after the game against Charlotte was scheduled to begin, said Latina McNeil, spokeswoman for the Memphis Fire Department.

No one was reported injured, she said.

The alarm sounded about a minute before game time and fans were told to leave the building, which took about 10 minutes to clear.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Charlotte Bobcats have named Ed Tapscott the CEO of both the Bobcats and the Charlotte Sting, while Peter Smul is to take charge of daily operations for the two teams, the franchise said Thursday.

Tapscott, who becomes CEO of Bobcats Sports & Entertainment, will retain his president's title, owner Robert L. Johnson said in a statement.

In his new role, the team said, Tapscott will help direct development of the Bobcats and Sting and their downtown arena, which is operated by the franchise.

"Ed has done a fantastic job getting the Bobcats franchise up and running and integrating our organization into the Charlotte community," Johnson said. "He has earned the respect of the local community, as well as our peers in the NBA, and has created a foundation for success on the court."

Smul, who has been the team's chief financial officer and executive vice president of business operations, will now oversee all sales, service, administrative, finance, legal and marketing functions for the two franchises.

Gerald Wallace was inactive for the Charlotte Bobcats' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night because of a sore left calf.

Wallace, averaging a team-best 15.0 points and a league-best 2.52 steals, reinjured his calf Tuesday night as he made a career-high 12 field goals in a 108-102 win over Orlando.

Emeka Okafor already missed 38 of the past 39 games with two sprains dating to December. Yet throughout the process, Okafor and team officials maintained their intention that he would play again this season.

On Tuesday it was announced that the Bobcats forward will not be returning to the floor this season.

"At the beginning of the season, if you told me this would happen, I would have laughed at you and gone on my merry way," said Okafor, who has had one previous serious injury, a back problem that limited him his last season at Connecticut.

The second-year expansion Charlotte Bobcats beat the $125-million Knicks, 116-109, Saturday; Charlotte's second blowout win in as many meetings this season dropped the Knicks to last in the league.

"I don't worry about what guys make," Larry Brown said. "You worry about the contribution they make to your team. That's the thing that's most important. Because guys are making a lot of money doesn't always equate to wins."

Chicago unconditionally owns the Knicks' lottery pick this season from the Eddy Curry deal.