Brendan Haywood has been replaced in the starting lineup by Etan Thomas, which could create a stir in the Washington locker room.

"I feel fine," Haywood said following yesterday's practice. "I feel I could have played the San Antonio game. I thought I was going to play but obviously other people didn't feel I needed to play so I didn't play."

Jordan said he deactivated Haywood on Saturday night because he had not played or practiced since Monday's victory at Golden State.

"I wanted to see Brendan go through a practice," Jordan said. "Today he practiced and he looked good. We'll decide before [tonight's] game if he'll be active."