Arenas hurt as Wizards lose again to Bobcats

The Wizards were already without forward Caron Butler, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken hand, and they quickly lost the services of Gilbert Arenas.

The All-Star did not start for the first time this season after being late to the team’s shootaround and when he finally took the floor, Arenas played less than two minutes when he collided with Wallace. After being helped to his feet, Arenas immediately left for the locker room with a sprained left knee. He did not return.

"I don’t know. I really don’t know (what happened)," said Wallace. "I went to the basket and I fell, and I don’t know if I landed on his knee. I know my shoulder hit him, it made my shoulder sore, but I don’t really know. I didn’t even know it was him until I got up, while he was down on the floor. I didn’t even know."

Walter Herrmann added 20 points and nine boards for the Bobcats, who have won four of five games. Raymond Felton chipped in with 19 points and seven assists.

Antawn Jamison dropped in 25 points and had 11 rebounds for the reeling Wizards, who also dropped a 122-102 decision to the Bobcats on Tuesday and fell one full game behind idle Miami in the Southeast Division.

Etan Thomas tallied 19 points and 10 boards, while Antonio Daniels had 18 points and a career-high 17 assists.

The Bobcats entered the final frame down by four points, but quickly began to wear down the Wizards. A 12-2 run, featuring three buckets by Adam Morrison, gave Charlotte a 91-84 advantage with 6:59 left.

Washington refused to give in, however, and went on a 8-0 burst over the next two minutes. DeShawn Stevenson drained back-to-back threes and the Wizards were back on top, 92-91.

Felton stemmed the tide with a three of his own, with 4:59 remaining, to put the Bobcats back in front, 94-92.

Things remained tight as the game headed toward the stretch, but Wallace’s three-point play, with 3:08, left gave Charlotte some breathing room, 101-96.

The Wizards had one last gasp in them. Daniels driving lay-in, with 1:05 on the clock, drew Washington within a bucket, 102-100.

But, Herrmann answered with a pair of free throws and Wallace followed with a lay-in to seal the game.

"It’s April. It’s April," Wallace added after the game. "This is playoffs for most people. When I was in Sacramento, we called April the start of the second season, so the games in April were like the preseason for the playoffs. The more physical play tends to pick up and the more aggressive play starts to pick up. That’s just how it goes. It’s like it’s getting ready, baby, so you better get you a little taste."

The Wizards held a slim 21-19 edge after the opening 12 minutes and continued to hold on to a precarious lead, 45-44, at intermission.

Hayes’ three at the buzzer gave Washington a 79-75 edge heading to the final frame.

Game Notes

The Wizards are now 26-11 as the host this season...Washington still has a 2-1 edge in the season series with one game to play...The Bobcats won for the first time in Washington D.C.