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Friday, January 5, 2001
Guard says he still won't be at full strength
ESPN.com news services
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PHOENIX -- Penny Hardaway is expected to make his return to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday when the team is at home against Minnesota.
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Hardaway has yet to play this season while recovering
from offseason surgery on his left knee.
Hardaway said his knee was weak -- but not sore -- after practice Thursday.
"My knee is feeling a lot better. The doctor put me on some anti-inflammatories, and that seemed to help," the guard told The Arizona Republic. "The only thing now is I'm
tired. I won't be at full strength, but I'll be able to go out there and play."
On Friday, the team waived point guard Elliot Perry, clearing a roster spot for Hardaway. Guard Mario Elie, out with a broken left hand,
is expected to return next week, meanwhile.
Perry was signed Dec. 13, after Elie was injured, and played in
13 games. He averaged four points and two assists. Perry started the season with Orlando and played in six games
before being waived Nov. 30.
Hardaway said he looks forward to getting back in the Suns' lineup.
"I've waited long enough," he said. "I've let my leg heal enough that I feel comfortable getting out there on the floor. It's a decision we made three or four days ago to go out there in the next week, and I picked Sunday.
"I don't have any pain in there. I still have some weakness in the quadriceps, but right now I'm just winded. I haven't had any setbacks, and that's what we were waiting on. I was having a few little setbacks earlier with inflammation in the back of my leg.
"Recently, I haven't had any of that bother me. I'm feeling very confident."
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