The Washington Wizards could greatly benefit from the All-Star break.

In addition to playing without leading scorer Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards had to play without Caron Butler three games last week because of a strained left hip flexor. He returned for Sunday's loss to the Lakers and despite experiencing some knee soreness, played last night at Philly. But with two minutes left in the third quarter, while backpedaling down the court, Butler felt his hip lock up on him again. He left the game and didn't return and the Wizards collapsed down the stretch for their fourth straight loss.

Butler likely won't play tonight against San Antonio. But he's not the only injured Wizard. A few of his teammates are battered, but continue to play through pain.

So, an intermission is definitely needed. The only problem is, the All-Star break doesn't happen for another week.

And before that rest period, the Wizards must take on the defending champion Spurs tonight at Verizon Center. Then comes a six-day, four-game West Coast swing. Washington plays in Denver on Friday, then at Phoenix on Sunday, a trip to Golden State and then a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The common theme among the last four teams is they all like to get out and run. Not exactly a good thing for a weary team.

The Wizards press on, however, because they know they have no other choice.

"It's definitely frustrating," center Brendan Haywood said last night. "Right now we're banged up and the thing is, we're banged up but we're about to run into roughest part of our schedule. Gil's been out all year. Caron's trying, but he's still hurt. He probably needs some time. We've got a couple other guys that are banged up but they're trying to go because they know we have to, we have nobody else. It's frustrating, but hey, that's the hand we're dealt. Let's go play."

- Mike Jones