Bobcats sign Hughes; MRI on Wallace's ankle shows no fracture

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats signed veteran guard Larry Hughes to help with depth in the backcourt as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time.

Also, an MRI on forward Gerald Wallace's left ankle on Saturday revealed no fractures or ligament ruptures. But Wallace likely will miss Sunday's game at Orlando after being injured on Friday.

General manager Rod Higgins announced this month they wouldn't sign Hughes because of his broken finger. But the injury has healed sooner than expected, and Hughes could be ready to play in about a week. He walked through plays and participated in shooting drills in practice Saturday.

Charlotte has been looking for help in the backcourt after trading Flip Murray to Chicago last month in a deal that brought forward Tyrus Thomas to the Bobcats. Coach Larry Brown coached Hughes in Philadelphia after the 76ers took him with the eighth pick in the 1998 draft.

The 31-year-old Hughes, who has averaged just over 14 points in his career, was traded by New York to Sacramento last month, then waived by the Kings. He's also played for Golden State, Washington, Cleveland and Chicago.

The Bobcats are hopeful Wallace could return within the week after he rolled his ankle on a hard foul in the closing second of the first half in the win over the Clippers. Wallace is averaging 18.5 points.