Former NBA guard Jason Williams, who signed with the Clippers in the off season and then retired voluntarily, has been denied reinstatement by the NBA, ESPN.com is reporting.

League bylaws state that players wishing to return from the voluntary retirement list need unanimous approval from all 30 teams to avoid a one-year mandatory waiting period. According to ballot results obtained Friday, Williams' request was denied by a vote of 24-6.

But Williams' agent, Dan Tobin, told ESPN.com that the 10-year veteran plans to return to the league next season after sitting out the required 365 days.

"We anticipated this decision," Tobin said. "So did Jason. But we look forward to seeing Jason back in the NBA in the 2009-10 season.

"One of the reasons we applied for reinstatement now was that we'd like to try to accelerate the process of him coming back. That will now be discussed between the league and the players' association."

It is believed that Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Minnesota, San Antonio and the Clippers were the teams who voted against letting Williams back in.

According to ESPN, the Clippers would have regained exclusive rights to the 33-year-old had he been reinstated. One suggested motivation for teams blocking Williams' return is the assumption that he would have quickly parted ways with L.A. after reinstatement and signed with a playoff contender for this season's stretch run.

The Los Angeles Clippers today waived guard Jason Hart.

In 28 games played this season, Hart averaged 2.3 points, 1.5 assists and 11.1 minutes per contest. Over his eight-year NBA career, Hart has recorded averages of 4.9 points, 2.3 assists and 16.1 minutes per game.

The Clippers acquired Hart from the Utah Jazz on July 23, 2008 in exchange for guard Brevin Knight.

There were eleven games on the schedule in the NBA on Wednesday night. Highlights included 19 fourth quarter points from Devin Harris, another 20-20 effort from Dwight Howard, and a huge shorthanded win by the Spurs.

- Indiana 104, Memphis 99

Team FIC Differential: Pacers +7.9, Grizzles -7.9

The Pacers (25-35) held off a late charge by the Grizzles (15-42) in the final moments to preserve a key home win. Jarrett Jack had 20 points and 6 assists, T.J. Ford posted 20 and 4 rebounds, and Troy Murphy added 13 points and 12 boards. Indiana outrebounded Memphis by six, allowing them to overcome twenty turnovers. Marc Gasol starred with 22 points and 15 rebounds, O.J. Mayo scored 21 points on 7-for-17 shooting, and Mike Conley chipped in 13 points and 8 assists in his return to Indianapolis.

Game FIC Scores

Marc Gasol, Memphis ? 19.1

Troy Murphy, Indiana ? 14.3

Jarrett Jack, Indiana ? 13.3

Mike Conley, Memphis ? 11.0

- Philadelphia 106, Washington 98

Team FIC Differential: 76ers +13.3, Wizards -13.3

The 76ers (28-28) used a 12-point edge in the third quarter to build an insurmountable lead against the Wizards (13-44). Andre Iguodala starred with 22 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds, Andre Miller tallied 17 points and 7 dimes, and Samuel Dalembert turned in 11 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks in the win. Philadelphia hit 50% of their shots and attempted thirteen more foul shots than Washington. Caron Butler had 17 points and 5 assists, Dominic McGuire posted 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison contributed 16 points and 5 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia ? 23.3

Dominic McGuire, Washington ? 20.5

Andre Miller, Philadelphia ? 14.5

Mike James, Washington ? 12.0

- New Jersey 111, Chicago 99

Team FIC Differential: Nets +21.3, Bulls -21.3

The Nets (26-32) absolutely dominated the Bulls (26-32) in the fourth quarter en route to a very important win in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Devin Harris starred with 42 points and 6 assists, Brook Lopez posted 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Vince Carter poured in 11 points, 9 boards and 7 dimes. New Jersey went 25-for-25 from the foul line, while turning the ball over just seven times. Tyrus Thomas led with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Ben Gordon tallied 17 points and 5 boards, and John Salmons added 15 points and 5 rebounds in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Devin Harris, New Jersey ? 25.6

Bobby Simmons, New Jersey ? 14.9

Tyrus Thomas, Chicago ? 10.5

Joakim Noah, Chicago ? 10.0

- Orlando 114, New York 109

Team FIC Differential: Magic +17.9, Knicks -17.9

The Magic (42-15) led from midway through the first quarter on, but had to hold off a late charge by the Knicks (24-33). Hedo Turkoglu scored 33 points on 11-for-17 shooting, Dwight Howard tallied 24 points and 21 rebounds, and Rashard Lewis turned in 17 points, 6 boards and 4 assists in the win. Orlando hit 51% of their shots and outrebounded New York by four. Nate Robinson scored 32 points off the bench, Wilson Chandler posted 27 points and 5 rebounds, and David Lee contributed his customary double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.

Game FIC Scores

Dwight Howard, Orlando ? 25.6

Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando ? 20.5

Wilson Chandler, New York ? 15.3

Al Harrington, New York ? 13.4

- New Orleans 90, Detroit 87

Team FIC Differential: Hornets +13.6, Pistons -13.6

Chris Paul made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to ice a win for the Hornets (34-22) over the struggling Pistons (27-29). David West had 30 points and 10 rebounds, Tyson Chandler posted 10 points and 17 boards, and Paul chipped in 20 points and 13 assists. Both teams shot 42%, but New Orleans outrebounded Detroit by thirteen. Richard Hamilton led with 24 points and 6 assists, Antonio McDyess tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Rasheed Wallace added 16 points and 7 boards for the Pistons, who saw Allen Iverson leave in the first quarter with back spasms.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Paul, New Orleans ? 21.6

David West, New Orleans ? 19.4

Rasheed Wallace, Detroit ? 11.6

Antonio McDyess, Detroit ? 11.4

- Utah 120, Minnesota 103

Team FIC Differential: Jazz +37, Timberwolves -37

The Jazz (35-23) outscored the Timberwolves (18-39) by 21 points in the second half to come from behind a notch and victory. Mehmet Okur scored 25 points on 7-for-10 shooting, Deron Williams tallied 13 points and 13 assists, and Andrei Kirilenko turned in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 dimes. Utah shot 53% from the field and attempt ten more foul shots than Minnesota. Ryan Gomes had 24 points and 8 rebounds, Kevin Love posted 24 points and 15 boards, and Mike Miller poured in 21 points, 8 boards and 6 assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Kevin Love, Minnesota ? 24.6

Mike Miller, Minnesota ? 19.0

Deron Williams, Utah ? 18.8

Mehmet Okur, Utah ? 18.5

- Dallas 116, Milwaukee 96

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +50.2, Bucks -50.2

The Mavericks (34-23) blew the game open in the first half and never looked back against the Bucks (28-32) on Wednesday night. Josh Howard starred with 27 points and 7 rebounds, Brandon Bass posted 18 points and 11 boards, and Jason Kidd added 19 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Dallas hit 53% of their shots and outrebounded Milwaukee by twenty-six. Charlie Villanueva led with 27 points and 5 rebounds, Charlie Bell scored 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting off the bench, and Ramon Sessions contributed 11 points and 6 assists for the Bucks.

Game FIC Scores

Josh Howard, Dallas ? 22.3

Jason Kidd, Dallas ? 20.1

Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee ? 12.5

Charlie Bell, Milwaukee ? 11.8

- San Antonio 99, Portland 84

Team FIC Differential: Spurs +26.6, Blazers -26.6

Even without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs (39-17) were able to knock off the Blazers (35-22) at the AT&T Center. Tony Parker excelled with 39 points and 9 assists, Kurt Thomas tallied 8 points and 10 boards, and Matt Bonner chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds. San Antonio drained 53% of their shots, and the two teams combined for just twelve turnovers. Channing Frye led with 15 points and 7 rebounds, Joel Przybilla posted 8 points and 10 boards, and LaMarcus Aldridge turned in 13 points and 7 rebounds in the defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Tony Parker, San Antonio ? 28.6

Matt Bonner, San Antonio ? 16.8

Sergio Rodriguez, Portland ? 12.0

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland ? 11.1

- Denver 110, Atlanta 109

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +6.7, Hawks -6.7

Flip Murray got a good look at a game-winner on Wednesday night, but missed and the Nuggets (38-20) came away with a win over the Hawks (32-24). Chauncey Billups had 33 points and 7 assists, Carmelo Anthony posted 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Andersen contributed 7 points and 10 boards off the bench. Denver outrebounded Atlanta by nine, while going 10-for-19 from behind the three-point line. Marvin Williams led with 31 points and 6 rebounds, Al Horford tallied 21 points and 10 boards, and Joe Johnson poured in 26 points and 8 assists for the Hawks.

Game FIC Scores

Carmelo Anthony, Denver ? 23.5

Marvin Williams, Atlanta ? 20.3

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 19.4

Joe Johnson, Atlanta ? 18.5

- Charlotte 98, Sacramento 91

Team FIC Differential: Bobcats +6.3, Kings -6.3

The Kings (12-47) outscored the Bobcats (23-35) by eleven in the fourth quarter, but didn?t have enough time to complete a comeback. Gerald Wallace had 27 points and 6 rebounds, Boris Diaw tallied 23 points, 5 boards and 5 assists, and Emeka Okafor turned in 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Charlotte went 9-for-17 from three-point land, while holding Sacramento to 39% shooting from the field. Kevin Martin led with 27 points, Drew Godden posted 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Francisco Garcia added 15 points, 4 boards and 4 assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Boris Diaw, Charlotte ? 19.9

Kevin Martin, Sacramento ? 16.0

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte ? 15.8

Drew Gooden, Sacramento ? 13.0

- L.A Clippers 93, Boston 91

Team FIC Differential: Clippers +1.5, Celtics -1.5

Zach Randolph made a layup with less than twenty seconds remaining to give the Clippers (15-43) a shocking win over the Celtics (46-13). Marcus Camby had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Baron Davis tallied 16 points, 7 boards and 5 assists, and Randolph starred with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Boston narrowly outrebounded Los Angeles by two, but the defending-champions turned the ball over twenty-one times. Paul Pierce led with 20 points and 4 assists, Ray Allen posted 17 points, 6 dimes and 4 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo chipped in 17 points and 7 boards in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Marcus Camby, Los Angeles ? 17.8

Zach Randolph, Los Angeles ? 17.0

Ray Allen, Boston ? 15.6

Rajon Rondo, Boston ? 11.5

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Clippers center Chris Kaman is getting closer to his return from plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and believes that he might return in two weeks.

Kaman has missed the season's last 42 games with the injury.

"At the beginning, it was really frustrating for me," said Kaman. "Because I was uncertain when I was going to play. Knowing now what I know, I wish I could have known back then how long it was going to be.

"I have to be patient. I can't really complain or do anything about it. Just wait and let it heal and take my time, not overdo it.

"Obviously it [stinks] but there's nothing I can do about it, got to try to get back into shape now and get ready to play. I'm looking down the road and not looking behind me."

The Sixers offered Samuel Dalembert to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Chris Kaman this week, according to a source.

The Clippers elected to decline.

Another source close to the Sixers confirmed the team also contacted the New Orleans Hornets inquiring about a deal centered around Dalembert and Tyson Chandler.

The San Antonio Spurs nearly acquired Marcus Camby, according to multiple sources.

Fabricio Oberto, Bruce Bowen and George Hill would have been sent to the Clippers for the defensive big man.

A team official believes that the chances of the Clippers swinging a deal before today's deadline stand around 20% to 30%.

"As of right now, that is not the position I'm in," said coach/general manager Mike Dunleavy. "We talked to the owner and he basically said, 'Make basketball decisions.'

"Now if something comes up that we think fills both needs, that could happen. We've had a lot of opportunities to dump salaries, and we passed on them."

The Clippers have offered Baron Davis to both the Mavericks and Warriors.

Los Angeles also discussed a trade that would send Davis to Houston, but sources tell Marc Stein that any such deal will not happen.

The Rockets and Clippers have discussed a trade that would send Baron Davis to Houston for Tracy McGrady, a person close to Davis told Sporting News.

"It would be best for everyone if Baron moved on," the source said.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com has filed a similar report on the Davis talks.

Davis signed a free agent contract with the Clippers last July for $65 million over five years.

Clippers coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy Sr. has repeatedly said that center Marcus Camby isn't available.

Camby has two years left on his contract, which the Clippers acquired from the Nuggets last July.

On Tuesday, an executive suggested that rookie guard Eric Gordon is the only player that Los Angeles considers "untouchable."