WASHINGTON -- Michael Jordan sat out an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday
night because of a strained left foot.
Jordan injured his foot in the Washington Wizards' exhibition game against
Miami on Saturday and has not practiced with the team since.
Jordan is listed as day-to-day. It is not known whether he will play in a
preseason game Thursday against the Detroit Pistons in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Jordan revealed the injury when he spoke to the MCI Center crowd at the
scrimmage, which was held to honor Washington area police, fire, search and
rescue, military and medical employees who assisted in the aftermath of the
terrorist attacks.
"Thank you for coming out," Jordan told the crowd. ``Unfortunately, I
can't play. I injured my foot on Saturday. It hasn't gotten better. I don't
want to risk it tonight, even though I would love to play under the
circumstances."
Wizards coach Doug Collins said Jordan had tests performed Monday night
after complaining of irritation on the top of his foot.
Collins said the injury is "sort of like tendinitis."
"Obviously, Michael is very, very disappointed tonight," Collins said. I
don't know if I've ever seen him as disappointed as he was tonight. He wanted
to play and he felt very, very badly about not being able to play. But we had
to err on the side of caution.
"Michael wants to play all 82. I think what he's doing right now he's sort
of fighting through the aches and pains of getting himself in shape the way he
wants to be. But I think the doctors assured him that it's nothing serious."
Rookie Brendan Haywood tore ligaments in his left thumb against Miami and
did not play in the scrimmage.
Collins said Haywood will be in a cast for three weeks. His condition will
be evaluated after three weeks and, if the thumb requires surgery, he could be
sidelined for up to two months.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2001
The Associated Press
All Rights Reserved
