National Basketball Association

Pietrus hopes to play after spraining ankle

Published May. 3, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus expects to play in the second-round series opener against Atlanta after missing practice with a sprained left ankle.

Pietrus sat out Monday after he sprained the ankle a day earlier in practice. But he said he would play Tuesday night in Game 1 against the Hawks, even if the ankle is a sore.

Pietrus twice sprained his left ankle this season, missing three games. He also sprained his right ankle once.

The Magic's backup forward has been a big boost off the bench the last two postseasons. Pietrus was 10 for 20 from 3-point range in Orlando's first-round sweep of Charlotte. He averaged nine points in 18 minutes per game in that series.