Latest Prognosis: Ellison Can’t Play for Kings Until March

Pervis Ellison’s first NBA season appeared to slip away Wednesday, as Sacramento King officials predicted that the No. 1 draft pick wouldn’t be ready to play until mid-March.

Earlier reports indicating that Ellison would miss only three weeks were incorrect, the Kings said.

Suffering from tendinitis in his right big toe, Ellison was ordered by doctors to stay off his foot for three weeks.

After three weeks of inactivity, the 6-foot-10 rookie will begin a slow and cautious rehabilitation.

In practical terms, Ellison will have to learn to walk and run all over again, the club said.

Finally, he must get into competitive shape, conditioning his legs for the rigors of the NBA.

The process will probably keep Ellison out of the lineup until March, when the regular season dwindles to its last five or six weeks. The season ends April 21.