Jordan Refines His Rotation for Stretch

INDIANAPOLIS, March 14 -- Playing through injury is something the Wizards have been doing all season, so nobody freaked out when forward Caron Butler left Wednesday's game at Indiana early in the second quarter with a left knee injury.

Butler will have the knee evaluated before Saturday's game against the New Orleans Hornets. If he's unable to play, the Wizards feel they can carry on until he gets back.

Before the game, Coach Eddie Jordan indicated that he planned on trimming his playing rotation and he deactivated second-year forward Andray Blatche. Blatche, who played well while making eight starts in February, was disappointed but was told by several teammates, including veteran forward Antawn Jamison, to stay ready just in case.

"That's why you have to always be ready in this league," Jamison said. "The young fella has to keep his mind focused and stay prepared to come in and help because you never know."

Before Wednesday's game, Jordan challenged his veteran players.

"Right now, over the course of these last 20 games, we're looking at having a rotation of 10 guys pretty much," Jordan said. "We've gone through the period where I wanted everybody involved and it's time for the money players to come through. It's time for them to step up."

Said Jamison, "Nobody is going to feel sorry for us because we have a guy out."

UP NEXT Saturday vs. Hornets7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Tuesday at Trail Blazers10 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980