On the Sidelines : Knee Surgery for Dallas Forward

Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley was undergoing surgery today after a magnetic resonance imaging study revealed a cartilage tear in his right knee.

Tarpley is expected to miss four to six weeks. The team initially had said he would be out no more than three weeks.

Mavericks team physician J. Pat Evans said the MRI, performed Saturday, revealed a tear of the lateral meniscus cartilage.

Evans was scheduled to perform the arthroscopy immediately after completing an arthroscopic procedure on the right knee of Mavericks guard Fat Lever, who has been troubled by inflammation in his right knee since training camp.

Tarpley’s injury occurred in the first period of Friday night’s 111-99 victory over Orlando. His right kneecap slipped out of place when he landed after making a shot on a fast break.

In five games, Tarpley averaged 20.4 points and 11 rebounds.