Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The Orlando Magic will be without Mike Miller in their playoff push longer than they thought.

Miller was expected to return Friday night against Charlotte, but his recovery from a high left ankle sprain that ocurred on March 8 has been slow. Team trainer Ted Arzonico says Miller could be out another 10 or 12 days.

Given that prognosis, Miller might be able to return either March 29 against Indiana or March 31 against New York.

"Mike hasn't gotten much better. He's not even close to running yet," Magic Coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday. "He's still limping."

Arzonico said a magnetic responance imaging performed on Miller's ankle indicated there was still swelling in a tendon.

"With high ankle sprains, these things take awhile. Mike's a little discouraged," Arzonico said.

It is the second time this season that Miller has been placed on the injured list. He sustained a chip fracture in his right foot in an exhibition game Oct. 19 and missed the first five games of the regular season.

Veteran Monty Williams has replaced Miller in the lineup, averaging 11.2 points in the five games of Miller's most recent absence.