A bit of good news

It was a good-news, bad-news day for Grant Hill, who was re-examined before Saturday's game by Dr. Mark Myerson, the surgeon who repaired the fracture to his left ankle.

Hill, who has missed three of the Magic's past four games, won't be back in the lineup Monday as he originally had hoped, but Myerson assured Hill again that his latest problem is minor and not related to the previous injury.

"Same ankle, different problem, whole different spot," Myerson said. "Within a week or maybe two at the most, he will be back playing again."

Myerson repeated his earlier diagnosis after seeing the latest bone scan that was done in Orlando.

"There is some inflammation in the joint due to bone spurs," Myerson said. "It's unlikely that any surgery would be needed to correct the problem. He's already made tremendous progress since I saw him a few days ago. He just needs some rest."

The Magic greeted the news with a sigh of relief. It was the diagnosis they expected, but they didn't try to hide their concern. Also in the room when Hill was being examined by Myerson on Saturday were Magic General Manager John Gabriel, trainer Ted Arzonico, Coach Doc Rivers and Lon Babby, Hill's agent.