John Denton of the Florida Today reports: The Orlando Magic were hoping that 39-year-old Patrick Ewing could defy the odds and remain healthy the entire season. But those hopes have been dashed now with the determination that the veteran center will likely miss at least another three weeks.

Ewing hasn't played since Jan. 5 when he injured his right Achilles' tendon and calf muscle. Lingering tendinitis in the area has kept the 7-footer from practicing or running of late. He was scheduled to come off the injured list last Saturday night, but those plans were derailed when he tested his aching Achilles' a day earlier.

"I really thought I'd be playing by now," said Ewing, who has a history of Achilles' injuries. "I tried to practice in Milwaukee and I had a little setback. I've just got to take my time now and try to get it healthy."

Two MRIs have shown no tears in the Achilles' tendon. But they have given the Magic some insight into just how many miles Ewing's battered body has on it.

"They showed an old Achilles' and that those aren't young legs any more," Magic trainer Ted Arzonico said. "It's like an old rubberband that gets kind of crusty with cracks and breaks in it. (Practicing in) Milwaukee was a setback for him, but we had to try and see where he was in the rehabilitation."

"I kind of assumed there would be some point in the season when he'd miss some games, but I didn't think it would be this long," Coach Doc Rivers said. "It's part of the gamble you take when you sign a guy of Patrick's age. And it's not just the age, but also the pressure he's had on his body through the years.

"There's nothing we can do now but wait. But if we can get to the playoffs and Patrick is healthy, that's all we really wanted anyway."