The uncertainty about when Grant Hill might be healthy enough to play again for the Orlando Magic has ceased to be an issue for at least the next five games.

The Magic placed Hill on the injured list Friday before they faced the Atlanta Hawks at the TD Waterhouse Centre. Since Monty Williams was activated to take his place on the 12-man roster, Hill is not eligible to return any earlier than a week from tonight at Portland.

Hill's injury was described by team officials as a sore left foot. But Magic coach Doc Rivers said it might be more of a case of bone spurs in the foot than anything connected to the two operations the five-time All-Star forward had on his left ankle in the past 19 months.

"Last year was last year," Hill said. "This is not that bad."

Hill has played in 14 games for the Magic this season -- but only one since Nov. 23, when his foot flared up toward the end of their 109-99 win at Charlotte. Although Hill had not missed a game until then, Rivers believes the injury occurred during the first half of the Nov. 21 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hill was averaging 16.8 points, a team-high 8.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He had only 14 points and two assists in 31 minutes before sitting out the final 6:58 of his last game, which took place Nov. 26 against the Detroit Pistons.

Hill will accompany the Magic on their six-game road trip, which begins tonight at Atlanta. Other than playing some one-on-one games with Williams or Jeryl Sasser, he won't be able to do much while inactive.

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