However, they won’t be the same playoff team — they need one more win to clinch a berth — now that Arenas joins fellow All-Star Caron Butler on the sidelines. Arenas underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday and will need two to three months recovery time, ending his season.

At least Butler might return if Washington, which owned the Eastern Conference’s best record at the midway point this season, advances to the second round.

“It’s difficult for us because we were on the brink of doing something special and making noise,” forward Antawn Jamison said.

The Wizards recognize the team will be much different minus Arenas and Butler.

» A Defensive Emphasis. The Wizards are now down a combined 47.5 points and without their top playmaker and most prolific three-point shooter. Nobody can make that up for them. But they’ll now need more of a defensive focus and that’s what guard Antonio Daniels and forward Jarvis Hayes can provide.

» A Thinner Bench. Their best bench players, guys whose best NBA roles have been as reserves, are now starting. Daniels played a terrific game in Wednesday’s 108-100 loss to Charlotte, with a career-high 17 assists. But he played 45 minutes; that can’t happen every night. They need second-year Donnell Taylor to provide key minutes at the point; it’s a lot to ask someone to go from being inactive to a key part of a playoff run. Also, having to start Etan Thomas for the ineffective Brendan Haywood hurts the depth. Thomas has played exceptional the past two games, averaging 18 points and 12 boards.

» More Post-ups. Jamison will spend more time inside posting up, trying to open the outside for others and using his quickness to draw double teams or easy buckets. Darius Songaila will play more and also be asked to post-up often. They’ll also use more pick and rolls with Daniels and rely on ball movement, lacking players who can create on his own.

“You can’t reinvent the wheel in April,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said, “but you shift gears. For our players, this could be a shining moment. It’s a shining moment for the coaches also.”

Playoffs? Playoffs?

» With eight games remaining, the Wizards hold a four-game lead over No. 7 New Jersey, but they play the Nets twice in the next five days. If the playoffs started today, Washington would play No. 3 Toronto.

» Washington already has the maximum 15 players on the roster, 12 of whom can be activated. All three inactive players are hurt, including Andray Blatche. But he’s expected to return before the playoffs.