Magic veteran Tony Battie will not be coming back for the playoffs.
After contemplating for weeks a possible late-season return to provide some much-needed help in the front court, Battie left the RDV Sportsplex Tuesday knowing his hopes of playing this season had just died.
General manager Otis Smith ended the speculation Tuesday after practice, shortly after Battie had left through a back door of the locker room without commenting.
Battie had season-ending rotator cuff surgery Oct. 24, injuring his left shoulder during informal workouts a few days before training camp began. Although his rehabilitation period was supposed to in the 7-9 month range, Battie started talking about an earlier return last month.
Center Dwight Howard, who is leading the league in rebounding, left practice early after getting hit in the mouth by Marcin Gortat during practice. The cut on the inside of his mouth required six stitches.
He is expected to be ready to play in Wednesday's game against Chicago
Battie never practiced with the team. And Gortat just took out Dwight. Thats 3 players taken out by Dwight (Jameer 3 times, Battie, Cook) and 2 by the Gortat (Dwight, Ewing). Dwight gets a taste of his own medicine lol. Gortat the enforcer!!!
