WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Washington Wizards guard Tyronn Lue will be sidelined at least five days after suffering a separated left shoulder in Thursday's win over Houston.
Lue was hurt trying to make a hustle play in the fourth quarter of a 100-98 overtime victory. He also suffered a deep gash over his left eye.
With 5:28 left, Lue and Rockets guard Juaquin Hawkins tried to track down a loose ball. The 6-foot Lue dove into Hawkins' path to get there first, causing a collision. The 6-7 Hawkins tripped and fell onto Lue's upper body, slamming his head against the hardwood, and compressing his shoulder.
"It was loose so I just dived on it and I can't remember what happened after that," Lue said.
Lue remained on the court for several minutes, pressing a towel against his eyebrow to stop the bleeding.
"They said it is a Grade 1 separation," said Wizards Coach Doug Collins. "I think the earliest we will see him is Toronto (on March 4)."
Wizards trainer Steve Stricker told Lue he will experience soreness for a week to 10 days, but Lue doesn't expect to be out that long.
"We're going to see how it feels," Lue said. "It's my left shoulder so he says I might be able to play come Saturday, so hopefully I will."
The injury halted a good game for Lue, who scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and handed out four assists. In his fifth season and second with the Wizards, Lue is averaging 7.9 points and 3.0 assists per contest in 56 games.
"We have to now think about signing somebody to a 10-day contract," Collins said. "We are now down to Juan (Dixon), Michael (Jordan), and Jerry (Stackhouse) on the perimeter, in terms of guys who can handle the ball. We have to look at the NBDL or CBA to see if we can find somebody."
One person who might be considered is former Wizard Chris Whitney, who was waived by Denver earlier this week.
Lue, a 1998 first-round draft pick out of Nebraska, was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers' championship teams in 2000 and 2001.
