MRI test negative for Raptors’ Carter

Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter was listed as day-to-day after an MRI on Sunday showed no structural damage to the surgically repaired left knee he reinjured the night before.

Carter strained his left quadriceps tendon Saturday, collapsing in the first quarter of Toronto’s 88-76 loss to the Houston Rockets. He was helped to the locker room.

Carter’s “jumper’s knee” is an overuse injury, and cost him 22 games at the end of last season. He played his final game March 19, then underwent surgery the following week.

The Raptors rallied in Carter’s absence last season, winning 12 of 14 down the stretch to reach the playoffs. He vowed to return this season better than ever.

The 25-year-old Carter played through the preseason and Toronto’s first two games saying he felt no pain. He seemed to be back to his acrobatic self, throwing down a huge one-handed dunk Friday night in a loss at San Antonio.

Magic remain cautious with Hill’s sore ankle

Orlando, Fla. The Orlando Magic want to be cautious with Grant Hill’s sore ankle, and insist the star forward would be able to play if this were the playoffs.

Hill, who has had three operations on his left ankle in the past 2 1/2 years, was sidelined for the second half of Orlando’s game Saturday.

“It was a precautionary measure more than anything. It’s November and not June,” Magic spokesman Joel Glass said Sunday. “We’re not going to be alarmist but, obviously, there’s some natural concern.”

Hill’s status for the Magic’s next game, Tuesday night against Sacramento, will be determined by his response to treatment the next two days.

He played 10 minutes and scored two points in the Magic’s 100-90 win at Milwaukee. After he reported ankle pain, the team decided at halftime to rest him.

“If this was the playoffs, could he have played? Yes, he could have,” Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. “But this isn’t the playoffs.”