Wizards coach says Jordan may come back in April

Jet, March 18, 2002

Michael Jordan will try to return from knee surgery this season, the Wizards coach Doug Collins told the Chicago Tribune.

"I think Michael is relieved they found something in his knee so they can at least fix it," Collins said. "Now the question is how long it will take him to get back. I don't think Michael wants to go out with an injury. He has poured himself into this all season, which is why it's important to try to hold this together until he gets back. I know, in his heart, he wants to come back," Collins told the newspaper.

"If Michael comes back in April and wants to play, obviously he's going to play. I don't think he wants to go out with knee surgery. I think he wants to come back and finish and then he'll make an evaluation on next year.

"Before surgery we talked about next year and he said, `The only way I can play next year is if I have something done to my knee, so I might as well have it done.' I don't want to see Michael get seriously injured. And for some quick fix for next year, I would not want to see him affected for next year. So what we do over the next 15 games will tell a lot about what Michael's going to do," coach Collins said.