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Tuesday, November 25, 1997

Rockets lose Olajuwon to injury and surgery

By MADELINE BARO Associated Press Writer

HOUSTON (AP) - Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets' All-Star center, was undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday and could be sidelined for some two months, team doctors said.

The 30-minute operation was being performed by team doctors Bruce Moseley and Tom Lowe.

Olajuwon, 34, has been slowed so far this season and complained about his knee following Saturday's game against Golden State. Team doctors considered surgery or rest and rehabilitation for the injury caused by wear and tear.

Monday's decision came a day after Olajuwon underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test.

"It's definitely time to get this thing fixed," Lowe said.

Doctors said Olajuwon would be hospitalized overnight with rehabilitation beginning immediately Tuesday.

In the operation, doctors were removing the medial plica, a fold of tissue in the knee joint.

"The plan is to take that plica out," Lowe said.

"We're hoping he would be ready in six to eight weeks," Moseley said. "We'll be happy if he's back by the All-Star break."

The All-Star break is Feb. 5-8. If he were to not return until then, he would have missed 35 games.

Olajuwon said Saturday soreness in his knees normally subsides after the exhibition season, but not this year.

"I just want to find out what it is and do whatever is necessary to correct it," Olajuwon said.

Olajuwon was 4-for-14 from the field and scored nine points in Saturday's 90-84 victory.

The Rockets (6-5) are off to a slow start this season, but have won their last three games. The team already has been hobbled by the loss of 34-year-old forward Charles Barkley with a groin injury. He's expected to return after Thanksgiving.

Olajuwon had complained of trouble with his left knee early in the season. Although he has averaged 24 points on 52 percent shooting in his career, this season he's averaging only 14.8 points with 48 percent shooting.

Olajuwon has had only one serious injury in his 14 years in the NBA, which includes championships in 1994 and '95. In 1991, he was elbowed in the eye and missed 25 games.

He hasn't missed more than 14 games in any other season, although he's had a blood clot in his left leg and an irregular heartbeat. In the past five seasons, he's missed only 26 games.

Injuries also caused problems for the aging Rockets last season. The team was 32-8 when Barkley, Olajuwon and 35-year-old Clyde Drexler started and 27-16 when at least one of them was injured. All three were injured at some point last season.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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