The Washington Times reports that the Wizards' resurrection tour played MCI Center again last night, and the Wizards used their best game of the year ? and the best half of Richard Hamilton's professional career ? to extend their winning streak to five games with a 96-80 mauling of the Knicks.

But the Wizards (10-12), who now have their first five-game winning streak since last season, were forced to take a tempered approach to their improved play. That's because staring forward Christian Laettner suffered a broken left leg early in the first quarter and is expected to be out for at least one month. He was placed on the injured list and replaced on the roster by Bobby Simmons after the game.  

It is not known who will start at power forward, although veteran Popeye Jones, who grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and played a season-high 35 minutes in place of Laettner, is the most likely candidate.