Wizards expect Nene to return before playoffs
By Josh Sanchez
The Washington Wizards have been without power forward Nene Hilario since he suffered a knee injury at the end of February, but the team has some positive news as they enter the final stretch of the season and prepare for the postseason.
As far as the Wizards are concerned, there is a real chance that Nene will be back in the lineup in time for the playoffs.
From J. Michael of CSN Washington:
"Forgotten in the topsy-turvy end to the Wizards’ season is that while they’ve fallen a spot to the No. 6 seed, they’ve gone 12-9 without Nene. He’s likely to return from a left knee ligament strain this week, and just in time. When asked if they’d missed his presence after being dominated by the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, no one denied it. It was too obvious. …“Nene gives us another facilitator. Against a team like this you need another one,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “With John being one, Bradley can do some things off the dribble but Nene was another guy that can play like Noah does at the top with the ball in his hands, the passing and also the posting up that he does for us. That’s not an excuse why we lost.”"
Nene has averaged 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and three assists in 30.1 minutes per game this season.
If he is able to return to the lineup like the team plans, then Nene will provide them with the low post threat that they have lacked.