Orlando
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Two questions haunt the Orlando Magic: will Grant Hill be healthy enough to play in the playoffs, and will the Magic even be in the playoffs? The answer to the first question is likely to come around noon today after a conference call with all involved medical parties. The answer to the second question could come as soon as next week if they drop their next four games against playoff opponents.
The first matchup is tonight against Hill's former team, the Detroit Pistons, a team the Magic will face again next Wednesday. For a rebuilding team desperately trying to make the playoffs again, they have an unfortunate schedule. Detroit twice, Chicago twice, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Indiana, and Miami. Good luck, Orlando.
Both Philadelphia and New Jersey, who currently lead the Magic in the standings, will have to stumble and stumble hard for even a sweep by the Magic of their remaining opponents to create the possibility of a postseason berth.
The conference call will also answer the question whether Hill can be expected back before the regular season ends, to help the Magic get into the postseason. If not, the Magic will likely request an injury exception from the league to add another player to their injury-depleted roster.
NEXT GAME
The Magic (35-40, third in the Southeast) host the world champion Detroit Pistons (47-27, first in the Central) TONIGHT. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on Sun Sports and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Q: Hedo, do you want any tattoos?
A: "No, I don’t want any."
Q: Steve, who is the funniest guy on the team?
A: "Dwight Howard"
Read more inside the Orlando Magic Ask-A-Player Archive.
INJURY UPDATE
Hedo Turkoglu(wrist) is on the injured list and out for the remainder of the season.Doug Christie(ankle) is also on the injured list and out indefinitely.Andrew DeClercq (knee) is on the injured list.Grant Hill(shin) is unlikely to play tonight's game.
John Denton ofFlorida Todaywrites: Hill is out again, and likely for the rest of the season.The Magic practiced Thursday unaware of Hill's status for the seven games that remain. Hill was a bystander at practice, but he also was awaiting word from Dr. James Nunley as to just how serious his latest injury is. Hill and the Magic are calling his latest injury a bruised shin and, yes, it is dangerously close to that ankle. They are also stressing that it has nothing to do with his bionic left ankle. But how could it not have everything to do with Hill's previous ankle injury? Even if Hill were out with a sprained Earlobe, the prevailing question would be this, "How does it affect his ankle?"
Brian Schmitz ofThe Orlando Sentinelwrites: The short-handed Magic are coming off an overtime loss Wednesday to the Chicago Bulls, their second consecutive defeat. . . . Magic interim coach Chris Jent will change the starting lineup, inserting Stacey Augmon at small forward and returning PG Jameer Nelson to the bench. Jent likes Augmon matching up better with Tayshaun Prince.. . . SF Grant Hill (bruised left shin) will not play. The Magic likely will bring back former UCF guard Mark Jones to take his place.
Brian Schmitz ofThe Orlando Sentinelwrites: Grant Hill wanted to include the playoffs in his grand comeback package this season. Typical of his buzzard's luck, Hill will not play tonight in a game the Orlando Magic desperately need to win to keep their postseason hopes afloat.And it's against his old team -- the Detroit Pistons. Figures. Isn't this just the way things have gone for Hill since the Pistons traded him to Orlando in the summer of 2000?... The Magic and Hill will decide today whether Hill will rejoin their fading playoff march this season. Magic General Manager John Weisbrod said late Thursday night that Dr. James Nunley, Hill's doctor; Magic team doctor Joe Billings; and club officials will participate in a conference call, and a decision will be made by noon today.