Hardaway Might Not Be At Full Speed

Orlando Magic point guard Penny Hardaway might not be able to go full speed when he meets up with the Atlanta Hawks today.

That still won’t make the Hawks’ job any easier as they attempt to play catch-up from a 2-0 deficit in this best-of-seven semifinal playoff series.

Hardaway has been hobbled by injuries to both legs. He has tendon problems in the back of his left leg. To compensate for the injury he put some additional strain on his right hamstring as well.

He was forced so sit out the fourth quarter Friday during the 120-94 victory over the Hawks. Yet, he remains confident that he’ll be able to play this afternoon at the Omni. Game 4 on Monday night might be another question.

“It feels a lot better,” Hardaway said Saturday after receiving treatment. “After the way my legs felt on Friday, I thought that I was going to be too sore to even get up and walk.

“I’ll just continue to get ice and whirlpool treatments and see how it feels at game time. I think I should be ready to play, but as far as playing back-to-back, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Magic coach Brian Hill said the decision on whether or not to play will left up to Hardaway and the team trainer.

The injury is not as severe as a pulled hamstring, but as Currier said, “There’s always the problem of the reoccurence of the injury.”

Should Hardaway not be able to go, the Magic plan to use Brian Shaw in the starting backcourt.