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Saturday, November 4, 2000
Hill's ankle presents dilemma for Rivers



Grant Hill
Hill

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando's Grant Hill may be sidelined for a month if his ailing left ankle doesn't show signs of improvement soon, Magic coach Doc Rivers said.

Hill started Orlando's game against Philadelphia on Friday night and had 18 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes. Rivers wants to see how Hill, who had surgery on his ankle in May, performs in Saturday's game at Atlanta before making a decision.

"I'm really going to judge by these two games here. If he shows any signs of just being really sore, I think we have to do something," Rivers said. "He could play these two games and look great, and then the discussion's over. That's what I'm hoping for."

Hill played 33 minutes in Orlando's season-opening win over Washington on Tuesday and had nine points, 10 assists and five blocks.

But Hill wasn't available for action the next night in Miami, where the Magic lost 105-79.

"I've just never seen a guy get healthy by playing," Rivers said. "I've never seen it."

When Hill wasn't on the court against the 76ers, he rode an exercise bicycle behind the Magic's bench to keep his ankle from stiffening.

Rivers acknowledged that losing Hill -- who signed a seven-year, $94 million deal with Orlando in the off-season -- would hurt the Magic, but added that his player's fitness was more important.

"I'd rather have him for six healthy years than not have him healthy ever," Rivers said. "You have to look at in the whole picture, and look at the health of your player, instead of let's win every game right now."


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