Phoenix Suns’ Eric Bledsoe will require surgery for knee injury

Former Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe, who was having a breakthrough season as a starter with the Phoenix Suns, will require surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, according to an ESPN report.

The report said Bledsoe probably suffered the damage in his knee during a game against the Clippers on Dec. 30 at Staples Center. The exact extent of the injury and a timetable for his return will not be known until a surgeon examines him.

Bledsoe was averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Suns, who were expected to contend for the draft lottery but are now solidly positioned for a playoff push after a 21-13 start. They are reasonably equipped to handle an extended absence from Bledsoe because of the presence of Goran Dragic and Ish Smith as well as newcomer Leandro Barbosa, recently signed to a 10-day contract.

Bledsoe has already missed four games with what the team had called a sprained knee.

Phoenix acquired Bledsoe, 24, over the summer as part of a trade that sent Jared Dudley to the Clippers. Bledsoe averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 assists last season for the Clippers as Chris Paul’s backup.

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