Orlando guard out with thumb injury

Orlando Magic guard Mikael Pietrus will miss three-to-six weeks with a torn right thumb ligament, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The 6-foot-6 inch native of Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, played with the injury in Thursday’s 105-90 win at Washington, but an MRI on Friday revealed the extent of the damage, which actually occurred in Orlando’s 96-94 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday.

I was playing with some pain because I was trying to be tough, the Magic’s primary three-point shooter told the newspaper. But sometimes you have to take care of the injury.

Teammate Keith Bogans, who suffered a similar injury earlier this month, told Pietrus to expect to wear a cast for six weeks.

Now I think I can learn and watch my teammates play, and when I get back, bring them the energy that I used to bring, Pietrus said Saturday after he watched the Magic’s shootaround.

In 15 games, Pietrus is averaging 8.8 points per contest.