WIZARDS INSIDER
Exam Results Are Good for Blatche
Tuesday, March 27, 2007; Page E04
SALT LAKE CITY, March 26 -- An MRI exam taken on forward Andray Blatche's left knee Monday came back negative and the Wizards' second-year forward is expected to be out of action only as long as it takes for swelling in the knee to go down.
Blatche, who has started 13 games this season, injured the knee in the third quarter of Saturday night's loss in Los Angeles when a Clippers player fell into the side of his leg while rebounding.
TRACKING THE WIZARDS Andray Blatche will attend 'John School,' a day-long seminar on the ills of solicitation. The Wizards re-sign forward Andray Blatche to a multiyear deal. After a delay, the Wizards finalize a trade of guard Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis for a draft pick. Wizards Insider Ivan Carter and Michael Lee with exclusive coverage and analysis on the Washington Wizards. |
Blatche was relieved to learn that the knee suffered no structural damage but was disappointed to go down at a time he was playing well. In his last five games, Blatche made 18 of 29 shots and totaled 41 points and 27 rebounds with nine assists and seven turnovers.
"Hopefully, it will only be a few days and I can get back out there when the swelling is gone," Blatche said before Monday's game against the Jazz.
Darius Songaila made his first start but likely will return to a reserve role Wednesday night, when Caron Butler is expected to return after missing six games with a left knee contusion.
"When he comes back and he's healthy, he's shown that he fits in our rotation," Coach Eddie Jordan said of Blatche. "He's done some good things."
Done With the West
The Wizards finished with a record of 14-16 against Western Conference opponents after losing at Utah. Washington will exclusively play teams from the East in its last 13 games.
UP NEXT Tomorrow vs. 76ers7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Friday vs. Raptors7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980
