Lakers’ Green to Have Surgery on Left Thumb Today

A.C. Green, who had been winning a battle with Kurt Rambis for the Lakers’ starting power forward spot, will have surgery on his left thumb this morning to repair a torn ligament.

The Lakers, who will open their National Basketball Assn. season Saturday at Houston, said Green might be able to play in two or three weeks with the use of a splint. Dr. Norman Zemel, a hand specialist, will determine Green’s playing status after the operation.

Green, who averaged 13.6 points in six exhibition games, suffered the injury Friday night during the Lakers’ 126-125 exhibition loss to Phoenix at Albuquerque, N.M. However, Green said he did not know how or when the injury occurred.

“I had no idea what it was,” Green said. “I still think it’s going to be OK. I’m tough. I’ll be ready.”

The Lakers go into tonight’s intrasquad scrimmage at Loyola Marymount with only 11 healthy players. They are weak in the front court, with Green out for at least two weeks and reserve center Petur Gudmundsson (back spasms) and power forward Frank Brickowski (hyperextended left elbow) sidelined for most of the exhibition season.

Tonight’s scrimmage, starting at 6, will benefit the Los Angeles Central Library, damaged by fire. Tickets are $10 and $5.