Lakers C Mihm headed for surgery
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lakers centre Chris Mihm will undergo surgery Monday to repair a ligament and tendon in his right ankle, a procedure that will likely keep him sidelined for most of the season, the team said Friday night.
Mihm injured his ankle in a game against Seattle on March 12 and played just once the rest of last season. He had ankle surgery July 26 and missed training camp and all eight pre-season games.
The latest surgery will be done in Baltimore. His projected recovery time is five to eight months.
"Although I knew a few months ago that there was a chance I'd need such a surgery, it was my hope that through alternative methods and therapy, I'd be able to join my Lakers teammates and make it through the season," Mihm said in a statement. "Unfortunately, despite an intense and gruelling therapy regimen, my ankle simply has not responded the way I had hoped."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson had no comment on Mihm's status when asked before the game. He deferred to team spokesman John Black, who announced the latest setback in a news release.
"Naturally I'm disappointed, but I'm optimistic that in the long run this surgery will lead to a 100 per cent recovery and I look forward to resuming my NBA career full-bore," Mihm said.
