Injured Hardaway Uncertain

Miami Heat point guard Tim Hardaway, nursing a sore left foot and right ankle, was on crutches Monday, a day after he was forced to leave Sunday’s game against Orlando.

Hardaway said he felt better but isn’t expected to play in the final two regular-season games. Those games are meaningless for the Heat because they have clinched the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat said Hardaway’s status is day-to-day, meaning his availability for the playoffs is uncertain.

Hardaway sprained his right ankle and left foot Sunday in the first quarter against the Orlando Magic. He is also bothered by swelling in his left foot, a problem that can last for weeks.

Hardaway will be replaced by rookie Anthony Carter.

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Michael Jordan destroyed Washington’s NBA team many times at the Capital Centre. On Monday, he signed the papers that will lead to the demolition of the building itself.

Acting in his role as part-owner of the Washington Wizards’ parent company, Jordan and local officials unveiled plans to tear down the 27-year-old arena and replace it with a modern retail and entertainment complex in Landover, Md.

“I’ve had some great games in the Capital Centre,” said Jordan, who joined the Wizards front office this year after winning six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. “But obviously it’s going to a better use, now that the MCI Center is established.”

The Capital Centre, which cost $18 million, was ahead of its time when Wizard majority owner Abe Pollin opened it for his NBA and NHL teams on Dec. 2, 1973.

It was the first arena with luxury sky boxes and featured the now-popular four-sided replay screen suspended above the middle of the court. Video entertainment during timeouts came into vogue.