Gilbert Arenas inching closer to his season debut
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas might get his first taste of NBA regular-season action after team trainers listed him as a game-time decision when they visit the Madison Square Garden
to play against the New York Knicks on Friday 5 November.
The 28-year old guard had his first full practise this season, and spent most the session with the team’s second unit composed of Lester Hudson, Cartier Martin, Hamady Ndiaye, and Yi Jianlian,
but head coach Flip Saunders will still make a last-minute decision whether to play with or without Arenas.
"You'll know more before the game," said Saunders when asked about Arenas status. "He looked good in practise, so we'll wait. I think any time you're coming back from any kind of injury,
especially when you've been out for a while, this is the first time he's really run hard, you have to see how he reacts."
Arenas, who is trying to make a strong comeback after being involved in a gun incident inside their locker room last season, missed the team’s first three games this season with a strained
tendon in his right ankle.
Although Arenas will likely suit up with Wizards, Saunders said that he’ll still start the game with the backcourt combo of rookie sensation John Wall and Kirk Hinrich, and admitted that
he has yet to figure out how he’ll utilize the three-time all-star.
"I think right now, we'll probably go with the starting lineup we have, based on where we are and just the unknowns as far as where Gilbert is at," Saunders said. "I think because he's coming
off the injuries that he's had with the groin, with the ankle, I think we need to be a little bit more cautious for him to try to limit his time as much as we can."
The nine-year veteran and former Arizona standout also missed the team’s final two pre-season games because of a strained right groin.
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