http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108245131268570.xml WILLING AND ABLE? Injury-plagued Baron Davis plans to play in Game 2 of the Hornets first-round playoff matchup against the Miami Heat despite an injury to his right ankle that hindered his play during a Game 1 loss Sunday night Tuesday, April 20, 2004 By Jimmy Smith Staff writer MIAMI -- One year ago, almost to the day, Baron Davis was sitting out a postseason practice, answering questions about the condition of his left knee. "It's still sore. . . . It's extremely frustrating, especially knowing that, after I came back, I was close to 100 percent . . . . We'll just hope for the best." That was April 21, 2003, in Philadelphia. Fast forward to Monday, April 19, as Davis answered questions about the condition of his right ankle. "It doesn't feel good. . . . It's extremely frustrating, considering before the game, I was hyped up, very mobile, dunking again. To come out the first play of the game and twist your ankle, then pretty much every quarter do something bad to reinjure it, it's definitely frustrating. . . . I was pretty much 100 percent going into the game." The difference between this season and last is Davis won't miss Game 2. Unlike last season's second game against Philadelphia, Davis will play in Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. Nevertheless, Davis, along with guard Darrell Armstrong (sprained right ankle), sat out Monday's workout at the University of Miami's Hecht Center, icing and doing some rehab with an eye toward getting back on the floor. "He had very little swelling, so that's encouraging," trainer Terry Kofler said. "Whether he practices (today) or not, I'm not concerned about. He'll be playing the next day. He'll be set to go. He just re-aggravated the same ankle he's been re-aggravating the second half of the season. I'm not concerned about this at all." Davis said that he never planned to miss Wednesday's game. "That's not an option," Davis said. "My team needs me. No matter how bad it hurts or how sore it is, I will definitely be playing in Game 2." Whether the Hornets, however, will be the same team without Davis at full strength is open for debate. On Sunday in Game 1, Davis played 36 minutes on sheer grit, scoring a team-high 17 points with four assists though turning the ball over six times. At game's end, his limited mobility proved to be a defensive liability when Heat rookie Dwyane Wade easily maneuvered past him for the game-winning basket with 1.3 seconds remaining. "Having to guard somebody like (Wade), I'm at a big disadvantage," Davis said, referring to his injury. "It's easier when you've got a guy who shoots jumpers or takes somebody off a screen. "To have to guard people who are going right at you and moving you laterally, it's tough. But you've got to suck it up and do the best you possibly can." Hornets coach Tim Floyd admits he's concerned about the Davis-Wade matchup, but said it's New Orleans' best option. "He's got to guard somebody," Floyd said. "You just give and take with their ball club. David Wesley did a fantastic job on Eddie Jones (nine points) and is better suited to guard there and Baron is better suited to Wade. When (Rafer) Alston is in there, it allows us a little more (matchup) flexibility." Wesley still is hobbled by a torn ligament in his left toe. Armstrong reinjured his ankle in practice Saturday before the Hornets departed for Miami. He will be held out of today's practice also, Kofler said. "We don't want him to rehurt it in practice," Kofler said. "If he's going to re-hurt it, it's going to be in the game, not practice." . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814. --

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