The playoff hopes of the Washington Wizards flashed before their very eyes last night when superstar Michael Jordan injured his back while trying to post up Vince Carter, Steve Wyche of the Washington Post is reporting.

Jordan's minutes have been on the climb as of late as the Wizards again find themselves on the outside looking in within their battle for post-season survival.  At age 40 the minutes could be catching up to Jordan, who has also been nursing a bruised right calf muscle after a collision with Pacers star Reggie Miller last week.  Jordan has been averaging nearly 45 minutes a game over the last seven games.

Jordan looked stiff before he hurt his back while trying to back down Vince Carter and turning the ball over.  At the next stoppage in play Jordan limped past the Washington Wizards' bench and straight to the locker room with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half, and according to Wyche the concern could be felt throughout a sold-out MCI Center last night.

"It's my back," Jordan said.

Coach Doug Collins vowed that the team had come a long way this season, and if Jordan was to miss any time (he hasn't missed a game this season) his players still will not give up their fight.

"We're not going to give up, regardless of who's hurt," Collins said. "Michael would be sorely upset if anybody in that locker room felt like that we could not win just because he's not playing. We will not do that as long as I'm the coach."

"Michael wants to play every game as if it's his last, and that's the way we're going to do it," Collins said. "If we're in a game we've got a chance to win and I tell Michael, 'I'm going to sit you down four minutes to rest,' I'm going to be lasered."

Jordan could be back for tonight's home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Team officials said he will be reexamined today and, if he responds well to treatment, he will be available at game time.