The Washington Wizards are taking a cautious approach with Gilbert Arenas as he tries to bounce back from offseason knee surgery, and yesterday that meant practicing without the three-time all-star guard for the second straight afternoon.

Arenas did not speak with reporters yesterday, but following Saturday night's home loss to Orlando he said the left knee felt "stiff." However, Arenas expressed confidence that he would be ready to play tomorrow night when the Wizards (0-3) go for their first win of the season.

"We're just taking some precautionary measures, giving him some time off because we have this gap between games," Coach Eddie Jordan said. "He'll be ready, we think, for Thursday. We think."