The Washington Wizards received good news yesterday when they learnt that Michael Jordan didn't suffer any damage to his surgically repaired right knee after a clash with Pacers superstar Reggie Miller Tuesday night, but the All-Star is questionable for the teams' encounter with the Houston Rockets tonight.

Jordan missed yesterday's practice with a deep thigh bruise that left him stiff, and if he does miss the game with the Rockets it will be his first missed game of the season.  The Wizards are currently in a three-way battle for the eighth playoff spot with the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks - the Wizards being on the outer meaning every game is crucial.

The game, however, will be a season debut for center Jahidi White, who will make his comeback despite not being 100% against man-mountain Yao Ming.

"I just expect to go out and play hard," said White. "Whatever I can do, whatever they ask me to do, whatever minutes they can give me. I'll accept anything. I'm just happy to be back in a uniform."

Jordan has been averaging 33 points per game over the past three games and his play down the stretch has seen the Wizards more dependant on him than they would have liked, especially with fellow starter Larry Hughes also out injured, writes Steve Wyche of the Washington Post.  Leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse has also struggled since missing five games with groin problems.

"We can ill afford to lose Michael right now at this stretch," Wizards Coach Doug Collins said.

Jordan began treatment on the leg immediately after the game against the Pacers, and the Wizards are hoping that this makes all the difference.

"You never know how a muscle is going to respond, how long a time it's going to take to heal," Collins said. "Let's hope that with [yesterday's] rest and treatment and then again [today] he will be able to go."