Listen -- the noise you just heard was the door being slammed on the Washington Wizards' playoff hopes.

After making a comeback, Jordan might never come back again.

The NBA's feel-good story is hurting. Michael Jordan is making only his second-ever visit to the injured list, the first since he broke his foot during his second season. And although we know he will miss at least five games, his impending surgery could be season-ending -- and even career-ending, given his age.

In other words, after making a comeback, Jordan might never come back again.

You knew something was wrong when he didn't play the final 6:27 of Sunday's loss in Miami. Sitting out the end of the game, when his team needed him, is not something Michael Jordan does.

Even with Jordan in the lineup, the Wizards were wallowing, losing five straight and seven of their last eight. And for the sake of the Wizards, still holding onto the eighth spot in the East, let's hope his absence lasts only five games.

The Wizards will soon encounter a tough stretch of games. After hosting the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers, they go to Chicago, a team that has won three straight since trading for Jalen Rose and Travis Best. Then, after playing home games against Orlando, Chicago and Detroit, Washington hits the road for nine of its next 10 games over 17 days.

From the start of the season, I have said I didn't think anyone in Washington's starting lineup could start for anyone else, except maybe Richard Hamilton. Taking Jordan out of the equation, the Wizards are counting on Hamilton to be more than just a sidekick. He has to be the Jordan of the team. But that's too much to ask of anyone.

Since the beginning of his comeback, Jordan was there to teach the Wizards how to win. Now, let's see what they have learned.