Arenas goes full speed

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus just left the District on Saturday night, Britney Spears’ “Circus” tour arrived at Verizon Center on Tuesday, and the Washington Wizards‘ circus of a season rolled on.

Gilbert Arenas and his thrice-surgically repaired left knee made a full return to practice after going through limited work off and on since Feb. 16. Center Brendan Haywood, out all season because of wrist surgery, resumed a full workload as well. And Caron Butler, who has missed the last six games with a strained hamstring took part in the majority of practice.

“Practice had a different flavor to it for sure,” Wizards coach Ed Tapscott said.

Arenas, who has yet to play in a game this season, left Verizon Center without speaking to reporters. Haywood, who received treatment and a massage after practice, also declined to comment.

But according to their coach and teammates, both players looked good on the court.

“We’re still missing a couple of key components,” interim coach Ed Tapscott said. “DeShawn Stevenson is not there, Etan Thomas is not there and Darius Songaila was unable to go today, but it definitely had a look with those two guys back out there. … We mixed it up today, and we were able to have a real competitive scrimmage.”

Said Butler: “Gilbert looked real good out there. Looked sharp, can’t wait to see him out there live and see the reaction of the fans. I know when he gets out there, he’s going to put on a hell of a show. … Brendan looked excellent also.”

With Arenas not talking, Butler had to field questions from the large crowd of media as to the likelihood of an Agent Zero return Saturday and whether the quirky guard would make a surprise appearance sooner.

“He might come back Saturday, he might come back sooner,” Butler said with a grin. “You never know. Agent Zero, baby. Everyone wants to come out and see the show.”

Tapscott discounted any possibility of Arenas coming back Wednesday against Charlotte. He said it’s important for the Wizards and Arenas to stick with the original plan and work toward Saturday. Haywood won’t play Wednesday or Saturday, Tapscott said.

“That’s not part of the plan,” the coach said. “His process will take longer.”

Notes - An MRI done on the pinched nerve in Wizards center Darius Songaila’s neck came back negative, and the sixth-year veteran will continue to be listed as day-to-day. Juan Dixon had an MRI done on the strained Achilles tendon in his right foot, but results were not yet available. …

Center Etan Thomas said the torn meniscus in his left knee is healing slowly but surely. He can do work on the stair and elliptical machines but cannot run yet. Thomas, who has been out since January, will have another checkup next week.