Grant Hill will miss two to three weeks: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Grant Hill will be out two to three weeks with a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee. The news came as a shock to his teammates and coaches. The injury occurred on Wednesday, but he didn't disclose it until Thursday when he couldn't practice.</div> Source Keyon Dooling out another week: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic shooting guard Keyon Dooling, out with a damaged thumb, said he expects to be out longer than originally thought. Dooling, who sustained the injury Jan. 26 at home against the Atlanta Hawks, said Thursday it will be "another week." He was supposed to be out 7-10 days, marking his return tonight against the New Jersey Nets or Monday. It is believed that Dooling has torn ligaments or tendons in his thumb, though neither he nor the club will confirm it.</div> Source Trevor Ariza injury update: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic forward Trevor Ariza said what the club had refused to say: He has a "two-degree tear" of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. "It's getting better. The swelling is almost gone, down to half a degree," Ariza said. "I don't think I'll be playing, though, until sometime after the all-star break (Feb. 15-20). It's bothering me that I can't get out there." Ariza, injured Jan. 10 at Golden State when he slipped on a wet spot, said he was able to ride a stationary bike for the first time Thursday since he was hurt. The injury did not require surgery, but countless hours of rehab. "This Sunday I get out of this brace," Ariza said, holding a huge,heavily constructed brace. "Then I go into a playing brace." He said he would not wear a brace to play when he returns. "If I have to wear a brace, I won't play. That means it's not stable yet," he said. The prognosis was originally for six to eight weeks. Ariza said he expects to be back sometime after the all-star break, perhaps to face his former Knicks team on Feb. 20 at Madison Square Garden. More than likely, with practice time included, Ariza probably won't return until Feb. 25 against the Houston Rockets at home. Magic General Manager Otis Smith said it was no coincidence that the Magic went into a slump with Ariza out. He gives the Magic a defensive, hustling presence and a magnet for offensive rebounds. "That gives me a lot of confidence to hear that," Ariza said.</div> Source Magic playoff hopes take another hit <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now the Magic will have an up-Hill battle in making the playoffs. Grant Hill, Trevor Ariza, Keyon Dooling --- all out. The club will have to play the next five or six games without them, which covers the extra week that Dooling said Thursday he would need. Add to that the stunning news that Hill (see previous blog) is out 2-3 weeks with a sprained knee, and the Magic --- who once boasted of their depth --- are now thin as an Olsen twin. Hill apparently didn't tell the Magic his knee ached after the team's win over Milwaukee on Wednesday night -- or didn't think it was serious. An MRI on Thursday delivered the news. Hill's absence is a crushing blow. The Magic needed him to get them through a favorable stretch of games before the all-star break to build a cushion. After the break, the schedule toughens up with the Magic playing some of the league's best teams. Keith Bogans likely will start in Hill's spot, moving rookie J.J. Redick to a prominent role.</div> Source Wow... This is going to be tough.
Dooling Out Another Week <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic shooting guard Keyon Dooling, out with a damaged thumb, said he expects to be out longer than originally thought. Dooling, who sustained the injury Jan. 26 at home against the Atlanta Hawks, said Thursday it will be "another week." He was supposed to be out 7-10 days, marking his return tonight against the New Jersey Nets or Monday. It is believed that Dooling has torn ligaments or tendons in his thumb, though neither he nor the club will confirm it.</div> Source
Trevor Ariza Injury Update <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic forward Trevor Ariza said what the club had refused to say: He has a "two-degree tear" of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. "It's getting better. The swelling is almost gone, down to half a degree," Ariza said. "I don't think I'll be playing, though, until sometime after the all-star break (Feb. 15-20). It's bothering me that I can't get out there." Ariza, injured Jan. 10 at Golden State when he slipped on a wet spot, said he was able to ride a stationary bike for the first time Thursday since he was hurt. The injury did not require surgery, but countless hours of rehab. "This Sunday I get out of this brace," Ariza said, holding a huge,heavily constructed brace. "Then I go into a playing brace." He said he would not wear a brace to play when he returns. "If I have to wear a brace, I won't play. That means it's not stable yet," he said. The prognosis was originally for six to eight weeks. Ariza said he expects to be back sometime after the all-star break, perhaps to face his former Knicks team on Feb. 20 at Madison Square Garden. More than likely, with practice time included, Ariza probably won't return until Feb. 25 against the Houston Rockets at home. Magic General Manager Otis Smith said it was no coincidence that the Magic went into a slump with Ariza out. He gives the Magic a defensive, hustling presence and a magnet for offensive rebounds. "That gives me a lot of confidence to hear that," Ariza said.</div> Source
