T.J.

Ford

In truth, the Bucks have not put a timetable on Ford’s possible return. He could even be out for the season.

There’s no official update on Ford’s status, but coach Terry Porter says until the doctors tell him Ford won’t be back, he’ll expect him to play.

It’s looking more and more like Maurice Williams and Mike James will hold the point guard job in Milwaukee all season.

After the meeting, a decision is expected on whether Ford has a chance to play basketball this season.

“He’s going to go away for awhile and then we’re going to talk again and see when he wants to come back,” coach Terry Porter said. The Bucks had hoped Ford might be ready to resume practicing before the end of the season, but that appears unlikely now.

Damon Jones started in the opener while Ford was out with a sprained ankle. Ford practiced Thursday but his status will be determined at game time.

Ford has been ordered to appear before the district attorney, but he is not the “primary focus” of the investigation, a law enforcement source said. Some evidence was seized, but no arrests were reported. The 21-year-old guard is out for the season with a spinal cord injury. After last night’s game his only comment was, “I don’t have anything to hide.”

Coach Terry Porter said Ford would be out another two to four weeks. A second MRI within the past 48 hours revealed some bruising of the spinal cord. Ford could be back for the playoffs, but his fantasy value in non-keeper leagues has expired. Hopefully his owners picked up Damon Jones when Ford got hurt.

For a while, coach Terry Porter was leaving his rookie point guard on the bench for the final stanza. Ford is averaging 7.4 points, and his 6.3 assists are good for seventh in the league.

Ford’s status for Wednesday’s game is unknown.