Jordan will have knee examined

WASHINGTON -- Michael Jordan is heading home to Chicago to have his ailing knee examined.

Playing his fourth game in five nights, Jordan faded badly in the second half of the Washington Wizards' game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday night and was taken out of the game with 3:50 remaining.

Jordan has barely been able to practice for at least a week because of tendinitis in his right knee, which bothered him during his summer comeback workouts and flared up again during training camp. He has already had the knee drained once, and he is going to Chicago on Sunday to see the former Bulls team physician, Dr. John Heffron.

When he announced his comeback, Jordan said he planned to play all 82 games, despite several physical setbacks that took a toll on his 38-year-old body. Now he says he reluctantly might have to sit out a game or two.

"If (the doctors) come to an agreement tomorrow, I may," Jordan said. "It's early in the season. I don't want to. I'd rather continue to play. But if it's not going to get any better other than me sitting out -- long-term, I want to play later in the season."

Jordan last missed a game due to injury on March 5, 1993, against San Antonio. He was hospitalized with a foot infection and missed two games. The Wizards have two days off before a Tuesday game in San Antonio, the start of a four-game road trip.

Jordan shot 6-for-19 for the game and 2-for-12 in the second half against Orlando. He missed all four shots he took in the fourth quarter and finished with 15 points in 33 minutes, leaving with 3:50 to play and the Wizards trailing by 13.

Orlando beat Washington 96-87.