Grant Hill’s hope of making a comeback this season may be in jeopardy.
Hill’s ankle has been surgically repaired four times in the last four years, limiting him to 47 games since signing with the Orlando Magic in 2000. He underwent tests at Duke University over the weekend, and a red flag was raised.
“After the last doctor’s visit, he has thought about slowing up a little bit,” Magic general manager John Gabriel said Sunday following Orlando’s 107-90 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Gabriel refused to say anything definitive on whether Hill would play this season, as the six-time All Star wants. Gabriel added there would be a Monday meeting between Hill, himself and the team’s medical staff to determine the best course of action.
Before the game, Hill said the examinations went well — for the most part.
“Everything looked great. The bone looked great,” said Hill, who last played Jan. 16, 2003, and had his most recent operation two months later. “I took a strength test and it was good but not perfect.”
More Magic problems
Orlando forward Drew Gooden, who’s averaging 11.5 points, missed Sunday’s game against the Kings due to infected hair follicles on his right leg. The unusual injury was first believed to be spider bites.
Randolph fined
The NBA suspended Zach Randolph of the Portland Trail Blazers for Sunday’s game against the Clippers for his role in an altercation against the Utah Jazz. NBA Vice President Stu Jackson suspended Randolph for taking a swing at Utah’s Raja Bell during Portland’s victory over the Jazz on Saturday night.
RESULTS, SUNDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Dallas 98 at Houston 101
Yao Ming scored 29 pts, including 5 in final :45, and Rockets snapped 6-game losing streak against Mavs. Rockets overcame 30 turnovers; Dallas had 20 steals, 9 by Dirk Nowitzki.
New Orleans 76 at Toronto 84
Vince Carter had 26 points, including a buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt at end of 3rd quarter to cap 19-4 run, and Raptors ended 7-game home losing streak.
New York 89 at Washington 86
Knicks’ Stephon Marbury had 24 pts, 13 assists. Wizards’ backcourt held its own as Gilbert Arenas scored 28 and Juan Dixon 25, but Wizards got outrebounded 35-23 through 3 quarters.
New Jersey 88 at L.A. Lakers 94
Shaquille O’Neal went 10-for-14 from foul line and scored 32 as Lakers, minus Kobe Bryant (shoulder), won. Nets’ Jason Kidd (knee bruise) missed 4th straight game.
Sacramento 107 at Orlando 90
Peja Stojakovic scored 12 of his 28 points in 3rd quarter for Kings, who had 30 assists–12 by Doug Christie–on 38 FGs. Mike Bibby had 26 points. Juwan Howard scored 26 for Magic.
Boston 80 at Minnesota 77
Jiri Welsch scored 18 points, 14 in 4th quarter, to help Celtics win 5th in row. Kevin Garnett had 20 points, 14 rebounds, but T’wolves lost consecutive games for just 3rd time this season.
Detroit 86 at Seattle 65
Rasheed Wallace scored 18 points for Pistons, who became first team in the NBA’s shot-clock era to hold 3 consecutive opponents under 70 points. Sonics’ 65 points tied the franchise low.
Memphis 95 at Golden State 85
Jason Williams scored 13 of his 17 points during a decisive 30-7 3rd-quarter run in Grizzlies’ 5th straight victory. Shane Battier scored nine of his 15 points in the third quarter.
Portland 71 at Clippers 91
Elton Brand’s 21 pts, 14 rebounds helped Clippers end 4-game losing streak. Corey Maggette added 18 points and career-high 9 assists, one night after eclipsing previous career best with 7.
Indiana 103 at Denver 94
Jermaine O’Neal had 31 points and 10 rebounds as Pacers, who’ve already clinched playoff berth, won 5th in a row. Carmelo Anthony’s 29 points led Nuggets.
