Bobcats sideline Gary Neal while he recovers from ankle and knee injuries

Bobcats coach Steve Clifford will keep Gary Neal on the bench in his suit for "the next two or three games" while he heals from some ankle and knee injuries that have been bothering the new Bobcats guard.

He had a sore knee prior to Wednesday's game against the Nets, but has since developed an ankle injury, as Rick Bonnell reports that Neal had a noticeable limp walking around the locker room.

"To me, until he can play (effectively), it's not wise" to use him, Clifford said. "It will hurt us here the next two or three games, but getting him well is the best way to go."

Neal has been a rather solid, though at times streaky, spark off the bench for the Bobcats, scoring 11.5 points per game as a Bobcat on nearly 50 percent three-point shooting.

Considering Clifford's words came before the Nets game, it looks like Neal could return against the Wizards on Monday, which is a significant game in the Bobcats' chase for a better playoff seeding, or he might return on April 2 against the 76ers.