Harper Faces Long Rehabilitation After 2 1/2-Hour Knee Operation

Clipper guard Ron Harper underwent what doctors described as a successful 2 1/2-hour operation on his right knee Tuesday at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the team announced.

Dr. Tony Daly of the Clippers and Dr. John Bergfeld, his counterpart with the Cleveland Cavaliers, reported there were no complications from the procedure to repair Harper’s anterior cruciate ligament and partially remove torn cartilage.

Harper was injured while making an awkward landing during the Jan. 16 game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Sports Arena. The ligament was repaired by transplanting a tendon from the knee, the same type of surgery Danny Manning underwent last January.

Manning, now playing without noticeable loss of mobility, returned after 10 months 25 days, but Harper’s injury is considered more serious because cartilage damage was also involved. Daly, therefore, has estimated that Harper will be sidelined for closer to a year. A Cleveland resident, he is expected to remain in that city during his rehabilitation.

Harper was averaging 22.8 points a game, 16th highest in the league, and an eighth-best 2.31 steals when injured.

The Clippers are 2-1 without Harper, heading into tonight’s game against the Spurs in San Antonio.