No talk of losing streaks overall or on the road today at Verizon Center. Instead, let’s talk injuries! Unfortunately, the Wizards have a few.
First, Yi Jianlian did not practice after turning his left ankle in Saturday’s loss to Atlanta. He said it’s swollen and sore, but described himself as day-to-day.
*Al Thornton also missed the latter part of practice after dislocating the middle finger in his right shooting hand. Thornton popped it back into place, and after practice said, “It should be good to go.”
*There is no update yet, however, on Nick Young who did something to his left knee late in practice. Having fallen to the ground, he scooted himself over the baseline and appeared to be in some pretty good pain as he laid on the floor and was examined by Wizards trainer Eric Waters, who then helped him up and followed him off the practice court to the locker room.
*Josh Howard did participate in practice and the Wizards remain hopeful for his return this weekend.
“I’m probably not going to get back Wednesday but I’m getting close,” said Howard. “I’m feeling good, a whole lot better than the first time I came back. I just gotta continue with the rehab and the court work.”
Howard said his rehab work this time is also different than his initial return back in December, which lasted only eight games.
“It’s a little more as far as what I do in the training room,” said Howard. “A lot more on the court stuff. A lot more weights. That’s picked up a whole lot more from the first time. Overall, it’s very, very intensive now. It’s fun because I enjoy the workout. I love being in shape and I’m seeing the results even more now, so that’s a good thing.”
Howard said his biggest challenge remains to regain his stamina, but that he’s been encouraged by the Platelet Rich Plasma injection he received in his knee
“I had it in my ankle before and it helped out tremendously and right now, I’m seeing the results,” said Howard. “So it’s something I wanted to do and I’m glad I got it done.”
The Wizards will be happier when he’s back, too, knowing full well the confidence, leadership and defense that he gives a team that has lacked in all three departments during its current losing streak (oops, meant to avoid talking about that).
“I could tell for those eight games, I could tell the momentum of the team changed, as far as being more confident, I give them that,” said Howard. “That’s not a bad thing, just giving them the confidence to go out and compete, night in and night out. That’s what I’ve been seeing the last eight games. Even though we’ve lost, we’ve always lost toward the end of the game, so hopefully, me, Rashard [Lewis] and Kirk [Hinrich] can continue with our veteran leadership at that critical moment of the game, to help guys get over the hump.”
Howard is also valiantly trying to keep playoffs in the discussion, but perhaps it’s best that he focus on himself first.
“But you know, big picture, hopefully, I’ll be able to come back and play a full season,” he said. “That’s my ultimate goal. I love the D.C. area, and I want to come back.”
