Shooting guard Glen Rice Jr. sprained his right ankle Wednesday night during the Washington Wizards’ preseason game against Maccabi Haifa, adding him to the growing list of injured Wizards players.
Rice limped out of the Verizon Center in a walking boot. He was on crutches prior to being fitted for the boot postgame after landing on another player’s foot in the second half. Rice and coach Randy Wittman said Rice is day-to-day, at this point. Rice will head back to the arena for treatment in the morning.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Wittman said. “He’ll miss some days here, probably.”
Rice was in the starting lineup because shooting guard Bradley Beal had surgery last Sunday to repair a non-displaced fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left (non-shooting) wrist. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks.
Guard Martell Webster has not played in the preseason because of offseason back surgery in late June. He is still rehabilitating.
In addition, forward Kris Humphries had surgery Oct. 9 to repair nerve damage in his right small finger. Humphries lacerated his hand on the rim. He can resume basketball activity in a month.
“(Injuries are a) part of the game,” Wittman said. “You act like we’re the only team that has these problems.”
To top it off, the Wizards will likely be without Nene, Xavier Silas and DeJuan Blair for the opener Oct. 29 in Miami.
Silas the first substitute off the bench Wednesday night during the Wizards’ 101-95 win against Maccabi Haifa. Nene and Paul Pierce had the night off to rest.
Silas’ suspension is suddenly relevant with Rice, Beal and Webster hurt. His minutes were increasing prior to Rice’s injury.
In the Wizards’ third preseason game, Silas scored 16 points in 17 minutes. Though, Wednesday’s 4-for-15 shooting didn’t give Silas’ chances of making the team a bump. He’s in his second consecutive Washington training camp. This season, he has a chance to snag the 15th, and final, roster spot. Known for his jump-shooting, it’s Silas’ defense that is in question for Wittman.
Veteran Rasual Butler is also an option at shooting guard. Butler came off the bench for the Indiana Pacers last season.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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