Arenas misses third straight practice

Wizards guard has surgically repaired knee drained again

Associated Press

Published November 8, 2007 at midnight

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WASHINGTON - Even if Gilbert Arenas is having problems with his left knee, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan isn't quite ready to worry.

Arenas' surgically repaired knee was drained for the second time in three weeks Wednesday, forcing him to miss practice for a third consecutive day. Still, Jordan expects Arenas to play against New Jersey tonight.

"There's no red flags," Jordan said. "He just has to keep getting through his therapy, his rehab and getting some rest when he can."

Asked how long it might be until Arenas is 100 percent healthy, the coach said: "We don't know how long it's going to take. You know, Gil's pretty darn good at whatever percent he's at, anyway."

Arenas said the knee felt stiff after Washington's 94-82 loss to Orlando on Saturday that dropped the Wizards to 0-3.

He hasn't practiced since.

"It feels like a 5-pound weight is on it," Arenas said that night, adding he thought he might need to have fluid drained. His left knee was drained of excess fluid Oct. 17.

Arenas did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but he referred to the knee on his blog.

"I have to get my knee drained and get the fluid out so I can be ready for the next 15 days. I guess it's like a 15-day period after I drain my knee that I'm at 100 percent," the blog says. "There's no pain, it's just stiffness."

Arenas spoke Saturday about tailing off in what was his first set of back-to-back games since hurting the knee in April.

"That's where I thought he wasn't his explosive self," Jordan said. "That's the only game."

Arenas made his first three shots against Orlando, then went 2-of-12 the rest of the way. He shot 0-of-4 on three-pointers that night, making him 1-of-17 from beyond the arc this season. Arenas is shooting 33 percent overall.

"I'm just shooting really bad right now, but I'll get the mojo back in a minute," the blog says.

The Wizards began the season by playing three games in four nights, and they have another such stretch now: Thursday's game is followed by one at home Friday against the Nuggets, then a game Sunday at Atlanta.

Arenas went five days without playing in an exhibition game after the knee was drained last month. But Wizards captain Antawn Jamison said Arenas told him he'll be ready to play today.

ALL-STAR GAME IN PHOENIX: The Suns will host the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, the third time the city has held the basketball showcase.

Commissioner David Stern will make the announcement at a news conference today at US Airways Center, where the game will be played.

Former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Suns general manager Steve Kerr also are scheduled to attend.

ETC: Pacers forward Ike Diogu tore his left calf muscle during practice and the team expects he'll be out four to six weeks. . . . Warriors Matt Barnes could miss tonight's game against the Mavericks with a dislocated finger. . . . Raymond Felton missed Wednesday's game because of a left knee injury.

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