Will Iverson return to 76ers?

The strained right calf that kept Elton Brand out of yesterday's practice became little more than a footnote during this disappointing 76ers season.

That's because the question of whether Allen Iverson will return is the hot topic surrounding the Sixers these days.

Tonight's game against the Orlando Magic at the Wachovia Center had been considered a target date for his return. Iverson, however, did not attend yesterday's practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

It is unclear when or even if he will return to a Sixers team that is struggling at 22-36. Last week, Iverson left the team for the second time this season to be with his 4-year-old daughter, who is suffering an undisclosed illness.

"I'm sure we will have some discussions in the next day or two about it," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said yesterday of Iverson's status with the team. "Maybe I will talk to [Sixers general manager] Ed [Stefanski] a little bit today and certainly tomorrow while we are in the office."

Jordan said Stefanski has talked with Iverson, the player's business manager, and Leon Rose, Iverson's agent.

"I have no gut feeling at all" on whether Iverson will return, Jordan said.

Iverson missed the last three games of the Sixers' trip, which concluded Friday with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Before that, he missed the Sixers' last five games leading into the all-star break almost three weeks ago. Since returning Feb. 16 against the Miami Heat, he had averaged just eight points on 25 percent shooting from the floor (7 of 28) in 26.3 minutes per game.

Asked if he expects Iverson to return, Andre Iguodala responded, "I don't know."

"It's a situation where I think he has something a little more important than basketball right now," Iguodala said. "Guys are praying for him, not just our team, but across the league. So, hopefully, his situation gets a lot better and his family is healthy. That's most important."

Teammate Willie Green said he doesn't know if Iverson's tenure with the Sixers this season is over.

"I hope it's not, though," he said. "I'm saying from a standpoint of Allen just continuing to play basketball for us and going into next season . . . if that's what he wants."

Green said he supports Iverson's decision not to play.

"But if it's better for him to play, I want him to play," Green said. "I love watching him play. . . .

"I came in when he was in his prime. And he's just a fun guy to watch."

Brand ailing. Brand hopes to play against the Magic. The forward sat out practice with soreness in his calf and is listed as day-to-day.

"Definitely, I don't want to miss any games," Brand said. "We are going to try to play through it for sure."

He was hurt in the fourth quarter of a victory over San Antonio on Feb. 19. Brand has played through pain the last four games.

"We had a day off, so they just kind of wanted me to rest a little bit," Brand said.

Notes. Rookie guard Jrue Holiday missed the end of practice after bumping his lower lip in a collision with Lou Williams during a drill. Holiday received five stitches in his lip during the Lakers game. . . . Green (shoulder), who missed Friday's contest, will be a game-time decision tonight. Big man Jason Smith (ankle), who also missed Friday's game, is available to play.