Thomas Tries to Play Through the Pain

CHICAGO, April 13 -- Center Etan Thomas returned to the starting lineup Wednesday night at Milwaukee after missing 2 1/2 games with a lower back strain and was solid, scoring eight points with seven rebounds in 26 minutes in Washington's 100-97 loss.

However, Thomas was feeling some pain during the second half after tweaking his back and did not play in the fourth quarter. Following the game, Thomas said he felt "okay," adding that the back pain is something he isn't going to get rid of anytime soon.

"It's just something I'm going to have to play with until I can get some rest," Thomas said. "If I loosen it up, it's fine."

Chicago: Not Their Kind of Town

The Wizards turned in one of their ugliest performances of the season at Chicago's United Center en route to a 90-79 loss on Jan. 27. The Wizards shot 36 percent and scored a season low in points. Counting last season's first-round playoff series, Washington has lost four of its last five at Chicago.

No Sympathy From Skiles

Bulls Coach Scott Skiles, who played for Washington during the 1994-95 season and was known as an old-school, hard-nosed player throughout his 10-season NBA career, was recently asked about a spate of injuries to his team.

"I don't worry about injured guys," Skiles said. "I'm not some touchy-feely person. This is pro sports. Guys who show up and are ready to play, that's what you go with."