WIZARDS INSIDER

Stevenson Sits Out, Could Miss 2 1/2 Weeks

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By Ivan Carter

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 3, 2009

BOSTON, Jan. 2 -- Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson sat out Friday night's game against the Celtics and expects to possibly miss as much as two weeks with a lower back problem. Stevenson said his back has been bothering him since training camp and an X-ray taken on Wednesday revealed a disk problem.

"There's a disk in there that is a little off and it's causing pain in my leg," Stevenson said. "I don't think it's anything major or long term, but it's one of those things where I need to take care of it and get it right."

Stevenson is among the most durable players in the league. His streak of 275 consecutive games started was snapped on Dec. 23 when he was replaced in the lineup by Dominic McGuire. He had not missed a game at all since April 13, 2005, when he was a member of the Orlando Magic and was absent to attend the birth of his daughter, Skye.

"I don't like missing games and this is a tough situation because I don't want to leave my teammates hanging," Stevenson said. "I don't expect to be out any more than two weeks."

Before Friday's game, interim coach Ed Tapscott indicated that second-year guards Nick Young and Javaris Crittenton would see more action with Stevenson out.

"We'll miss him because he's been so versatile," Tapscott said. "He not only played the two [shooting guard] but he also played some backup point for us. But this does create an opportunity for some of our young guys."

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