SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 30 (AP) --Sacramento's Ron Artest could face possible surgery this week to remove chipped bone fragments in his right elbow, a team spokesman said.

Artest missed his second straight game Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. The Kings are 2-8 without him in the lineup, and went winless in their four-game homestand.

He is averaging 19.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 19 games this season. An eight-year veteran, Artest missed the first seven games this season while serving a suspension. He also didn't play in a Nov. 21 game in Phoenix because he was visiting his ailing daughter.

The shorthanded Kings have also been without leading scorer Kevin Martin (strained groin) for the last 12 games, and injured point guard Mike Bibby has yet to play this season.


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