Iverson, the NBA scoring leader for the 76ers, called in sick Wednesday night and missed Charles Barkley's final game in Philadelphia. After the game, he was seen at his favorite restaurant, possibly with teammates.

Sixers general manager Billy King talked with Iverson on Thursday morning after practice and said he would not be disciplined.

``I told him we'll never question whether a player's sick or injured, because I know how much you love the game,'' King said. ``I said, 'But, when you say you're sick, the perception is whether you're hungry or not, you shouldn't be out.'

``He said, 'Billy, I was sick, I hadn't eaten, and I was hungry.' Everybody knows that's where he goes to eat when he's hungry.''

Iverson, who has been on the injured list since breaking the thumb on his shooting hand Nov. 22, said he regretted going out.

``It's a perception. It didn't look good,'' Iverson said. ``I understand that. To be honest with you, I'm sorry the whole thing happened.''

Coach Larry Brown called WIP sports radio Wednesday night to defend Iverson, saying his excuse was legitimate because he was sick. When told that Iverson went out after the game, Brown said, ``That would trouble me. It's not good. It's not right. We're going to talk about it, especially since he said he was sick.''

Iverson could not have played Wednesday night, but injured players normally sit on the bench in street clothes -- at least during home games. Iverson told the Sixers he had the flu.

His excursion fueled speculation that Iverson might have stayed away because of differences with Barkley. The two have exchanged verbal jabs since Iverson's rookie year in 1996.

``People say I didn't want to show up and see him honored in my house,'' Iverson said. ``It was his house before it was my house. I have a lot of respect for him.''

Barkley's last game in Philadelphia ended up being the last of his career. He ruptured the quadriceps tendon in his left knee in the first quarter and said his 16-year career is over.

``People think I don't like Allen, but that's not true,'' Barkley said. ``I like him. I respect Allen.''

Barkley and Iverson met by chance Thursday morning at the office of Sixers team doctor Jack McPhilemy. Barkley had his knee checked out, and Iverson had his cast removed. They embraced and shook hands, with the whole meeting captured by television cameras.

``I want you to be the next guy in the league to take it to the next level,'' Barkley told Iverson. ``It's a lot of weight to carry. It's a tough city. Everything you do is going to be scrutinized. You're a great player.''

Iverson said Barkley was ``somebody I can learn a lot from. I'll never forget this day.''

Meanwhile, Iverson said he could return Saturday night against Charlotte or next Wednesday against Toronto. The Sixers are 6-3 without him.