CONTACT: John Christensen, Inez Amado February 19, 1997 TRAIL BLAZERS ACTIVATE SABONIS, RELEASE NEMBHARD The Portland Trail Blazers announced Wednesday that they've activated center Arvydas Sabonis from the injured list, and have released guard Ruben Nembhard. Sabonis was placed on the injured list Jan. 24, after suffering a deeply bruised left calf in the fourth quarter of Portland's Jan. 22 matchup at Seattle. In 41 games this season, Sabonis has averaged 14.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 26.6 minutes with a .491 field goal percentage. Sabonis, who leads the Blazers in rebounding, double-doubles (11) and is second in blocked shots (1.34), is expected to be in uniform and available to play in Portland's game tonight at Orlando. Nembhard, who signed a second 10-day contract Feb. 7, appeared in two games with the Trail Blazers and averaged 2.0 points and 9.5 minutes with a .500 (4-8 FGs) field goal percentage. John Christensen Chuck Charnquist ************************************************************ Send subscribe/unsubscribe messages to majordomo@ripcity.com ************************************************************