Denver ? Michael Jordan couldn’t get into a rhythm in his first game back from knee surgery. Still, his mere presence on the court was more than enough against the struggling Denver Nuggets.

Jordan had just seven points in his earlier-than-expected return, but Richard Hamilton scored 30 as the Washington Wizards routed the Nuggets, 107-75, Wednesday night.

“I felt pretty good and was moving well, but obviously my rhythm wasn’t quite there,” said Jordan, who wore a protective sleeve on his knee. “I felt good and the guys weren’t looking for me, and they were still being aggressive, which is what I wanted to happen anyway.”

Jordan, playing for the first time since having surgery on his right knee Feb. 27, made two of his first four shots before missing five straight. He was the fifth player off the Wizards bench, marking the first time since April 5, 1986 he played but was not in the starting lineup.

Jordan finished 2-for-9 with two assists, two steals and a rebound in 16 minutes.

Spurs 108, Lakers 90

San Antonio Tim Duncan scored 25 points and San Antonio held Shaquille O’Neal to 17 points 13 coming from the foul line.

Celtics 96, Cavaliers 70

Boston Paul Pierce had 22 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 11 during a 14-0 fourth-quarter run, as Boston beat Cleveland .

Heat 82, 76ers 77

Philadelphia Eddie House came off the bench to score a season-high 20 points, including a pair of foul shots with 8.3 seconds remaining to clinch the game.

Nets 97, Trail Blazers 82

East Rutherford, N.J. Jason Kidd had 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

Hornets 94, Pacers 88

Charlotte, N.C. Baron Davis hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds to play as Charlotte defeated Indiana.