Washington ? Michael Jordan’s minutes kept climbing, even after he turned 40. Tuesday, his body revolted and sent him out of the game in the second quarter.

Jordan departed because of spasms in his back, just when the Washington Wizards had taken their biggest lead over the Toronto Raptors. With Jordan gone, the Raptors won, 89-86.

Jordan, who was not available to comment after the game, will be evaluated today. Coach Doug Collins said it would be a “game-time” decision whether Jordan would play tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers.

“We’re not going to give up, regardless of who’s hurt,” Collins said. “Michael would be sorely upset if anybody in that locker room felt like that we could not win just because he’s not playing. We will not do that as long as I’m the coach.”

Jordan hasn’t missed a game this season, and the Wizards can’t afford to lose him now. The loss put them one game behind Milwaukee for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Oddly, the injury came in what was supposed to be Jordan’s 40th birthday game, scheduled for Feb. 17, but a snowstorm forced it to be postponed.

“That’s how fate works,” Collins said. “We shouldn’t even have been playing.”

Jordan is averaging 19.7 points, but he has played with extra intensity over the last few weeks to try to get to the playoffs one more time. He was averaging 27.3 points and 43.8 minutes since turning 40 before Tuesday’s game.

But the birthday postponement means the Wizards must play six games in nine days. Last week, Jordan was hit just above his surgically repaired right knee in a collision with Indiana’s Reggie Miller. He didn’t miss a start and scored 35 points in 50 minutes two nights later in an overtime victory over Houston.

“Michael wants to play every game as if it’s his last, and that’s the way we’re going to do it,” Collins said. “If we’re in a game we’ve got a chance to win, and I tell Michael, ‘I’m going to sit you down four minutes to rest,’ I’m going to be lasered.”

Collins said Jordan told him recently: “Don’t treat me like there’s going to be something left at the end.”

Washington's Michael Jordan winces as he walks off the court and into the locker room late in the second quarter. Jordan suffered back spasms and left Tuesday's 89-86 loss to the Raptors in Washington.

The Raptors took advantage of Jordan’s absence to win their third in four games from the Wizards this season.

Pistons 96, Rockets 83

Auburn Hills, Mich. — The Pistons broke a seven-game losing streak as Richard Hamilton scored 26 points and Chauncey Billups added 21. The game was Detroit’s first after it finished an 0-5 West Coast trip with a loss Sunday in Portland. Houston has lost four in a row.

Bucks 100, Heat 91

Miami — Sam Cassell held the hot hand for the second straight game, scoring 25 points as the Bucks climbed back to .500. Milwaukee moved one game ahead of Washington for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Cassell followed his 28-point outing Sunday against Atlanta with a strong effort against the Heat. He was 9-of-14 and added five rebounds and three assists to help the Bucks win for just the third time in their last 10 games.

Knicks 89, Cavaliers 80

New York — Allan Houston scored 25 points for the Knicks. Houston scored eight of his points in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks had some trouble shaking off the team with the NBA’s worst record. The Cavs lost for the ninth time in 10 games and dropped to 0-11 on the road against Atlantic Division teams.

Hawks 92, Nuggets 86

Atlanta — Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit a hook shot before Glenn Robinson made a clinching three-pointer in the final minute as the Hawks handed Denver its 13th straight loss. Abdur-Rahim finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Robinson atoned for an atrocious shooting night to give the Hawks their second victory in six games. Robinson was 4-for-14 and missed all seven of his shots in the first half.

Mavericks 88, Nets 79

Dallas — Steve Nash scored or assisted on 16 straight fourth-quarter points, helping the Mavericks snap out of their offensive funk. Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the league-leading Mavs (46-14).

Suns 104, Spurs 97

San Antonio — Stephon Marbury had 35 points and 13 assists, and the Suns overcame Tim Duncan’s 35-point, 21-rebound performance. Marbury connected on all six of his three-pointers and led a Phoenix attack that hit 10-of-13 three-point shots. Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion each added 17 points for the Suns.

Sonics 92, Timberwolves 83

Seattle — Ray Allen scored 29 points, Brent Barry had 19, and Rashard Lewis added 17 as the SuperSonics ended the Timberwolves’ seven-game winning streak. The Sonics improved to 6-1 since Allen joined the team in a swap for Gary Payton. Allen added nine rebounds and six assists. Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds for Minnesota, but the Sonics held the All-Star game MVP to two points in the fourth quarter. Troy Hudson had 21 and Anthony Peeler 12 for the Timberwolves.

Warriors 107, Pacers 100

Oakland, Calif. — Gilbert Arenas had 22 points and nine assists as Golden State defeated Indiana for its sixth straight win — the team’s longest winning streak in nearly nine years. The Warriors improved to 30-30, the franchise’s first time at .500 since April 24, 1994. That’s the same year the organization last reached the playoffs.