The AP reports that Michael Jordan's surgery Wednesday morning revealed torn cartilage in his knee, leaving the Washington Wizards hope that he will play again this season.  Team physican, Dr. Stephen Haas, repaired the cartilage in an arthroscopic proceudre and said the injury was the result of normal wear and tear.  

``Michael will rest over the next few days, then begin therapy,'' general manager Wes Unseld said. ``At that point, we will have an idea of the time frame for his return to action.''

While athletes usually need several weeks to recover from torn cartilage surgery, the outcome is far from the worst case scenario -- a definitive career-ending injury -- feared by the Wizards. The best outcome would have been for the surgery to reveal loose cartilage or bone fragments that could be easily removed.

Jordan was placed on the injured list Tuesday, which will cause him to miss ast least five games.  MJ had previously missed only two games all season.  Kwame Brown, the #1 pick in last June's NBA draft, was activated from the injured list to take Jordan's place.  

The Wizards are 0-2 this season without Jordan, who is averaging a team-high 24 points. They have lost five straight and seven of eight since the All-Star break to drop to 27-28.