MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood was expected to play Wednesday night against Memphis for the first time this season, but Gilbert Arenas was likely out.
Haywood has been out since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist last October. Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott said the 7-footer came by his hotel room earlier in the day and said he was ready to play. Tapscott was excited about the possibility, but also kept his guard up.
“He said he thought he had enough practice to at least give it a chance,” Tapscott said. “The first thing I asked was if this was an April Fool’s joke because I was delighted.”
so came into play in the Arenas decision.
“We have said we would try and stay away from any back-to-back situations,” Tapscott said. “If we have a back-to-back like this, considering who he is, I think we owe it to our fans to let them see him if he’s going to go on a back-to-back.”
Haywood, in his eighth year out of North Carolina, averaged career highs in points (10.6) and rebounds (7.2) last season. Haywood practiced a week ago for the first time since injuring his wrist in preseason practice last October.
Tapscott said he expected to bring Haywood off the bench and play him about 10 minutes per half against Memphis, but was prepared to play him less if his stamina couldn’t hold up the first night out.
“He’s been out a while, but it’s great news for us,” Tapscott said. “Brendan adds a lot to us in a number of different ways. So, it is nice to get back another piece.”
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