Mutombo to miss at least two months with wrist injury
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Dikembe Mutombo will undergo surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, sidelining the New Jersey Nets center for at least two months.
Mutombo tore the ligament Thursday night when he was hit on the wrist by Eric Piatkowski of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mutombo was examined Tuesday night by Dr. Charles Melone Jr., a New York City-based hand surgeon.
"He told me it was one of the big ligaments that holds your wrist," said a disappointed Mutombo, who had missed only 28 games in his 11-year career before coming to New Jersey in a major offseason deal that sent Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch to Philadelphia.
The most games he has missed in a single season was 11 during his rookie year, 1991-92 with Denver.
"It depends on my body, how quick I heal," Mutombo said. "(It's) as long as I have the cast on, then I start the rehab."
Mutombo started the Nets' first 16 games, averaging 7.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
"I know he is disappointed," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "I know he's one of those guys who wanted to wait a little while to see if he could play. But hey, he'll be back. We know he'll be back. Hopefully, he'll be energized. Twin (Jason Collins) will gain some valuable experience from it and he'll be ready for the playoffs, and Deke will be back and we'll be full strength."
Mutombo missed his third straight game Tuesday night, watching the Nets 87-72 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He got the bad news after the game.
"Life goes on," Nets point guard Jason Kidd said. "The season isn't going to be put on hold until Deke gets back. We got guys who can pick up the load. We look forward to the challenge."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Dikembe Mutombo will undergo surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, sidelining the New Jersey Nets center for at least two months.
Mutombo tore the ligament Thursday night when he was hit on the wrist by Eric Piatkowski of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mutombo was examined Tuesday night by Dr. Charles Melone Jr., a New York City-based hand surgeon.
"He told me it was one of the big ligaments that holds your wrist," said a disappointed Mutombo, who had missed only 28 games in his 11-year career before coming to New Jersey in a major offseason deal that sent Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch to Philadelphia.
The most games he has missed in a single season was 11 during his rookie year, 1991-92 with Denver.
"It depends on my body, how quick I heal," Mutombo said. "(It's) as long as I have the cast on, then I start the rehab."
Mutombo started the Nets' first 16 games, averaging 7.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
"I know he is disappointed," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "I know he's one of those guys who wanted to wait a little while to see if he could play. But hey, he'll be back. We know he'll be back. Hopefully, he'll be energized. Twin (Jason Collins) will gain some valuable experience from it and he'll be ready for the playoffs, and Deke will be back and we'll be full strength."
Mutombo missed his third straight game Tuesday night, watching the Nets 87-72 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He got the bad news after the game.
"Life goes on," Nets point guard Jason Kidd said. "The season isn't going to be put on hold until Deke gets back. We got guys who can pick up the load. We look forward to the challenge."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
