Hawks’ Carroll has sprained kneeATLANTA — An MRI on DeMarre Carroll’s left knee showed no structural damage, and he hopes to play for Atlanta in Friday night’s Game 2 against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, Carroll’s agent said Thursday.Mark Bartelstein told The Associated Press that Carroll has only a knee sprain and “maybe a little” bone bruise. The Hawks confirmed the MRI showed only a knee sprain and said Carroll would be listed as questionable.

Judge dismisses charges against RiceMAYS LANDING, N.J. — A judge in New Jersey has dismissed domestic violence charges against Ray Rice, who was captured by a surveillance camera knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in a hotel elevator.Judge Michael Donio dismissed the charges Thursday after the Atlantic County prosecutor told him the former Baltimore Ravens running back had completed the terms of his pretrial intervention.Under terms of the program, Rice paid $125 in fines and received anger management counseling.Rice was charged with third-degree aggravated assault. His attorney described what happened in February 2014 as “little more than a misunderstanding.”

Bronco defensive end under investigationENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith is under investigation in Texas over a criminal allegation the local sheriff describes as “sexual in nature.”Smith has not been arrested and no charges have been filed. TMZ first reported the investigation on Thursday.