Andray Blatche, the team's second-round pick in June's NBA draft, found out he had been activated approximately 45 minutes before last night's tip-off against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I didn't know," Blatche said, moments after hearing about Coach Eddie Jordan's decision from a reporter. "I'm real excited because I didn't get a chance to play during the preseason. I don't even know what to say."

Blatche has rapidly recovered from wounds he suffered to his right forearm and left chest area during a Sept. 25 shooting but missed the preseason and only recently was cleared to practice and travel with the team. Blatche, who played at South Kent Prep (Conn.) last season, was unable to exercise for several weeks because the bullet punctured a lung.