Numerous times this month, Horace Grant has wondered aloud whether he made the right choice in having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

"If I had to do it all over again, I probably wouldn't have had surgery," Grant said. "I would've just tried to fight through the pain."

In his previous 15 NBA seasons, he never has been through anything such as this. As a lifer in the post, he has been remarkably durable. He has played with -- and through -- pain.

Now 37, Grant knows his body's recuperative powers aren't the same. A proud player and the owner of four championship rings, Grant has always wanted to avoid leaving the game as a plodding, lumbering player who can't contribute much.

When he practiced Monday for the first time this season and discovered how much work he has left, he was frightened.

Grant won't be in uniform at 8 tonight when the Orlando Magic play Memphis at The Pyramid. He wants to play Tuesday when the Grizzlies come to TD Waterhouse Centre, but he might not see his first action until the preseason finale Thursday against Dallas. Grant expects to be at full strength for the season opener Oct. 29 against Philadelphia, but he has pondered whether he might have to sit out.

"I tried to dunk the other day, and it just wasn't there," the 6-foot-10 forward/center said.

Grant had surgery in mid-September. He spent most of the off-season relaxing, thinking he was retired until owner Rich DeVos persuaded him to play one more year. When he began working out in September, the pain in his left knee still existed, the same pain that caused him to take four Advils each game day last season.

The Magic are not as worried as Grant, especially because it has been only about five weeks since the surgery. Typically, the recovery time for that type of procedure is 4-6 weeks.

"We're in no hurry," Coach Doc Rivers said. "We don't want to rush him and have the knee problem linger all year."

Grant said he has experienced no pain cutting, but he gets no lift when he jumps.

"Could he get off the ground before?" Rivers joked. "I didn't realize he could before. He's never had any cuts on his knee, so it's something different for him."

Grant's absence has proven how much this team needs him. A steady, consistent post presence has been lacking. Grant doesn't hesitate to admit how age has affected his game, but he is still the most knowledgeable and accomplished big man on the roster. Rivers may limit Grant's minutes at the beginning of the season.

"I know what Horace can do," Rivers said. "The only question mark is how long he can do it."