Denton: Williams to Have Knee Surgery, Out Four Weeks
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By John Denton
September 29, 2010
ORLANDO – Orlando Magic veteran point guard Jason Williams is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks after learning he will need arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday.
Williams, 34, went through the first practice of training camp on Tuesday, but was unable to practice for the night session because of pain in his knee. A MRI on Wednesday showed floating particles in the knee and it was determined that surgery was the best option for Williams.
The hope is that Williams can have the surgery now and return by the regular-season opener against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28.
``It’s unfortunate, but the timing is such that he can be back for the first game,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``In a training camp setting you’d like to have three point guards. But it’s nothing major. He’s got stuff floating around (in the knee). He didn’t want to get (the surgery) done, but this gives him the best chance to get back by the start of the regular season.’’
Van Gundy said the Magic briefly discussed adding a third point guard for training camp, but nixed the idea. Jameer Nelson is the entrenched starter, while Chris Duhon was signed in free agency over the summer to serve as the primary reserve.
Shooting guards Vince Carter and J.J. Redick served as the backup third point guards in Wednesday’s night practice. Van Gundy said the injury underscores how important Orlando’s acquisition of Duhon was in the offseason.
Williams, who is entering his 12th NBA season, returned to the Magic this summer as the team’s third point guard. He appeared in all 82 games last season and started 18 when Nelson was out following knee surgery. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 assists a game and registered career highs in shooting percentage (44.4 percent) and 3-point shooting (38 percent).
John Denton writes for OrlandoMagic.com. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
September 29, 2010
ORLANDO – Orlando Magic veteran point guard Jason Williams is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks after learning he will need arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday.
Williams, 34, went through the first practice of training camp on Tuesday, but was unable to practice for the night session because of pain in his knee. A MRI on Wednesday showed floating particles in the knee and it was determined that surgery was the best option for Williams.
The hope is that Williams can have the surgery now and return by the regular-season opener against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28.
``It’s unfortunate, but the timing is such that he can be back for the first game,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``In a training camp setting you’d like to have three point guards. But it’s nothing major. He’s got stuff floating around (in the knee). He didn’t want to get (the surgery) done, but this gives him the best chance to get back by the start of the regular season.’’
Van Gundy said the Magic briefly discussed adding a third point guard for training camp, but nixed the idea. Jameer Nelson is the entrenched starter, while Chris Duhon was signed in free agency over the summer to serve as the primary reserve.
Shooting guards Vince Carter and J.J. Redick served as the backup third point guards in Wednesday’s night practice. Van Gundy said the injury underscores how important Orlando’s acquisition of Duhon was in the offseason.
Williams, who is entering his 12th NBA season, returned to the Magic this summer as the team’s third point guard. He appeared in all 82 games last season and started 18 when Nelson was out following knee surgery. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 assists a game and registered career highs in shooting percentage (44.4 percent) and 3-point shooting (38 percent).
John Denton writes for OrlandoMagic.com. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
