"Most of it is to trying to get the rhythm back," he told reporters on Monday after participating in his first practice since the injury.

Washington Wizards' Antawn Jamison holds his knee after being hurt during their NBA game against Detroit Pistons in Washington January 30, 2007. [Reuters]

"I think my rhythm is coming back, but you don't know that you are really back until you are playing against tough competition."

Jamison suffered a left knee sprain against the Detroit Pistons on January 30 and the Southeast Division-leading Wizards have gone 4-6 without their third-leading scorer.

The eight-year NBA veteran was expected to be out for up to six weeks but after a month was practising with the team in non-contact drills.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said Jamison, who averages 19 points and eight rebounds per game, "looked good" in practice but was not ready for the rigours of the NBA.

"He made every shot, it seemed," Jordan said after the practice in East Rutherford, N.J. "I didn't see him take a hit. He was cutting and he was defending cutters but he did not drive in and take a hit."

The Wizards have been hit with a slew of injuries but still lead the Southeast Division by 4 ? games over the defending NBA champion Miami Heat (27-28).

Gilbert Arenas, the NBA's second-leading scorer, has soreness in his right shoulder, and fellow All-Star Caron Butler is battling back spasms.

Jamison said he was desperate to return.

"I just want to go out there and play, but I want to know that when I'm out there that I am definitely helping my team and not hurting them," he said.

The Wizards (31-23) visit the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday before hosting the Heat on Wednesday.