Wizards' Ian Mahinmi: Could return next week

Mahinmi (knee) could make his season debut at some point next week, J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Analysis:

Mahinmi has been practicing with the Wizards in some capacity for the last week, but he still hasn't quite received clearance for full activities. While that could happen in the next few days, Mahinmi probably needs a little more time to get his conditioning in order since he's been sidelined since mid-October following knee surgery. Once he receives the green light to play, Mahinmi should slot in as the main backup to starting center Marcin Gortat, perhaps pushing both Jason Smith and Andrew Nicholson out of the rotation in the process.