Jeffries Pained That He Can Only Watch

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 -- As players from the Wizards and Knicks began to trickle onto the court at Madison Square Garden to warm up two hours before Wednesday's game, Knicks guard-forward Jared Jeffries was leaning against the scorer's table, watching. He was dressed in a suit and his left sleeve barely concealed a splint.

Jeffries, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Knicks last summer after four seasons with the Wizards, has not played since breaking his left wrist in New York's preseason opener. He underwent surgery Oct. 31 and said he will not be back for at least another four weeks.

"Right now, it hurts to miss every game," he said when asked about not playing against his old team. "I just want to be out there with my teammates, helping any way I can."

Jeffries's place in Washington's lineup has been filled by DeShawn Stevenson, who signed with the Wizards on Aug. 5 -- three days before the Wizards declined to match New York's offer sheet with Jeffries.

Though the 6-foot-5 Stevenson's style of play is different from the 6-11 Jeffries, their production is somewhat similar. In 77 games last season, Jeffries averaged 6.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and shot 45.1 percent. This season Stevenson is averaging 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists and is shooting 45.9 percent.

Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas said he expected to see Jeffries cover him had he been healthy.

"Oh yeah, Jared thinks he knows me, so he would've asked for me," Arenas said.

And would Arenas have gotten the better of his former teammate?

"Of course," Arenas said. "He knows it, too."