It’s Official: Jordan Will Play Again

Michael Jordan plans to play another season with the Washington Wizards, confident his 39-year-old knees are sound enough to allow him to finish his contract with the team.

“My love for the game of basketball continues to drive my decision,” Jordan said Thursday in a statement released by the Wizards. “Physically I am feeling very strong, and feel that the steps I took in the off-season have allowed me to return to the game in great condition.”

The statement lacked the drama and magnitude of Jordan’s announcement a year ago, when he ended a 3 1/2-year retirement by resigning from the Wizards’ front office so he could resume playing.

Coach Doug Collins said he has spoken to Jordan about using him as a sixth man at shooting guard.

Jordan led the Wizards in scoring (22.9), assists (5.2) and steals (1.4) last season, but he also led them in turnovers (2.7), and his shooting percentage (41.6) was nearly nine percentage points off his career average. He played 60 of 82 games in a season disrupted by knee surgery.