Washington Wizards guard Richard Hamilton, the team's second-leading scorer, could be sidelined three to four weeks after an MRI exam yesterday revealed a partial tear in his right groin. Hamilton suffered the injury in the first quarter of Friday's victory over the Orlando Magic and did not play in the Wizards' 87-86 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday night.

Coach Doug Collins, who said he did not plan to play Hamilton against the Hornets, was stunned when he found out how long Hamilton could be out. But, like Hamilton, he hopes the prognosis is conservative and that Hamilton can come back sooner. Collins is optimistic enough about a speedy recovery that he does not plan to place Hamilton on the injured list, which would require that the guard sit out the next five games.