| |  | |
| Strickland |
WASHINGTON -- Rod Strickland returned to the Washington
Wizards before Sunday night's game against Detroit, ending a
disappearing act that started before last week's road trip to
Miami.
He did not play in the game against the Pistons, though.
Wizards general manager Wes Unseld told the Washington Post on Monday he did not know
when Strickland would be available to play.
Coach Leonard Hamilton said he expects to receive a medical update on
Strickland's condition on Tuesday.
"I don't know the extent of the injury or how long he will be out," Hamilton
told the Washington Post.
Strickland missed two practices last week. He was fined for
oversleeping and missing practice on Tuesday, then grumbled that
management was picking on him after he didn't start and played only
18 minutes the next night against New York.
On Thursday, Strickland missed practice, a doctor's appointment
and the team's flight to Miami without contacting anyone in the
organization. He was fined and suspended for Friday's game against
the Heat by president of basketball operations Michael Jordan.
"It was a little frustration, man, that's all," Strickland
said in the locker room before Sunday night's game. "I ain't
trying to battle anybody. Just frustration."
Strickland and Hamilton met briefly before the
Pistons game. Hamilton then said he planned to have Strickland
play. Instead, Strickland did not suit up and sat one row behind
the bench, next to injured center Jahidi White.
"Rod -- before the game, I think -- notified the trainer that his
hamstrings were sore, and that he didn't think he would be able to
play," Hamilton said.
Strickland has been complaining about hamstring problems most of
the season, but he did not miss a game until his suspension.
After the game, Strickland was vague when asked about a
timetable for his return.
"I don't know," Strickland said. "Until it gets better."
Chris Whitney started at point guard for the third consecutive
game. He led the team to a 110-96 victory, breaking a six-game
losing streak.
"When you have a situation like this, it's uncomfortable for
everybody," Hamilton said. "The way I like to handle it is put it
behind me and move on."
|
|
ALSO SEE
Wizards snap six-game skid with win over Pistons
|
