Gilbert Arenas out at least 2 games with injury

A persistent ankle injury that has cost Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas to miss practice the last four days will also sideline him for the first two games of the season. The Wizards tip off their season on the road against the Orlando Magic on Thursday at 8 PM. The game is being televised nationally on the TNT network. The Wizards then play on Saturday night in Atlanta against the Hawks.

Arenas played in only 4 preseason games and hasn't played since he left after the first three minutes of an October 14 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Arenas was having a good preseason, shooting 50 percent and connecting on almost half of his 3-pointers while sporting a better than two-to-one assists-to-turnovers ratio.

Expect the Wizards to move Al Thornton into the lineup to play quick forward while combo guard Kirk Hinrich plays in the backcourt with rookie point guard John Wall.

If Arenas misses only the first two games he would make his season debut in his team's home opener on November 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers.