Jordan Could Be the Latest Loss

Michael Jordan limped to the bench midway through the fourth quarter and might stay there awhile.

Jordan sat out the final 6:27 of the Washington Wizards’ 92-80 loss to Miami because of a bruised right knee Sunday night and said he might go on the injured list, which would force him to miss at least five games.

“This needs more than just two days’ rest,” he said. “I’m going to take the necessary time to get better. I may have to sit out a few games.”

The Wizards blew a fourth-quarter lead to Miami for the second game in a row and lost their fifth consecutive game to drop below .500 (27-28) for the first time since Jan. 22.

Jordan, who missed Wednesday’s loss at Detroit because of his knee, had fluid drained from it before the game. He played 30 minutes before leaving for good with Miami leading, 78-74.

“The game was on the line and I was sitting on the bench. That should tell you something was wrong,” Jordan said. “It got to the point in the fourth quarter where I couldn’t move.”

Coming off a 37-point performance Saturday, Jordan made four of 13 shots and finished with nine points, six assists and five rebounds. It was only his second single-digit scoring total of the season--he had six points Dec. 27 against Indiana.

Jordan, who turned 39 on Feb. 17, has missed only two games but has had the knee drained at least three times.

“I’m getting old,” he said with a smile. “It’s a sign that this might be coming to a closure as to where my career is heading. The body sends you messages, and tonight my body won.”

New Jersey 95, Charlotte 93--Lucious Harris made a go-ahead layup with 46 seconds to play, and the Nets rallied from a 23-point deficit in the second half at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Nets held the Hornets to 11 points in the fourth quarter to win their sixth in a row and end Charlotte’s winning streak on the road at five.

Baron Davis had 29 points to lead the Hornets, but he missed a three-point shot with about three seconds left. Teammate Elden Campbell got the rebound, but instead of putting the ball back up, he passed back out to Davis as the final horn went off.

“It was just a mental mistake on my part, thinking we needed a three [-point basket],” said Campbell, whose face dropped at the final horn when teammate Jamal Mashburn walked up to him and pointed out his gaffe.

“That’s why when I caught the ball under the hoop and threw it back out. I was right there wide open for a layup and I just blew it.”

Jason Kidd had 21 points and 15 assists for New Jersey.

Phoenix 92, San Antonio 83--Stephon Marbury scored a season-high 36 points at Phoenix, helping hand the weary Spurs their second road defeat in as many days. The victory was the 1500th in the Suns’ history and made them the 12th NBA franchise to reach that total.

David Robinson led the Spurs in scoring for only the second time with 25 points.

Milwaukee 89, Detroit 82--Sam Cassell scored 27 points and Ray Allen had 21 at Milwaukee as the Bucks ended the Pistons’ franchise-record road winning streak at seven. Milwaukee moved into sole possession of first place in the Central Division, one game ahead of the Pistons.

Jerry Stackhouse led Detroit with 19 points on eight-for-27 shooting.

Seattle 101, Toronto 92--Brent Barry scored 23 points, Gary Payton had 22 and Rashard Lewis 21 as the SuperSonics won their sixth in a row on the road.

Vince Carter, limping because of a strained left quadriceps, scored 28 points in his first game back from the injured list. The Raptors, who went 0-7 without Carter, have fallen to 29-29.

Cleveland 111, Orlando 96--Ricky Davis scored 27 points in a rare start as the Cavaliers took advantage of a Magic team playing without All-Star Tracy McGrady at Cleveland. McGrady, the Magic’s leading scorer, was a scratch just before the game because of a sore right foot.

The Magic got 24 points from reserve Troy Hudson, and Mike Miller had 23. But Orlando was outrebounded, 55-28.

Atlanta 89, Denver 84--Jason Terry scored 25 points at Denver to help the Hawks hand the Nuggets their fifth consecutive loss. Newly acquired Juwan Howard had 28 points for the Nuggets.