Pistons Lose Isiah Thomas for 12 Weeks

All-Star guard Isiah Thomas will have surgery on his injured right wrist Tuesday and miss at least 12 weeks of NBA play, the Detroit Pistons said today.

Thomas was examined Wednesday by wrist specialist Dr. Kirk Watson in Hartford, Conn. He found a ligament connecting two bones was badly damaged, allowing them to separate.

Watson gave Thomas the choice of prompt surgery or attempting to play with the painful injury through the season, then have the operation.

“He has a very, very high pain threshold,” General Manager Jack McCloskey said today. “He just couldn’t go on.”

McCloskey said Thomas would wear a cast for at least eight weeks, followed by at least four weeks of rehabilitation before he could resume play. At best, he might rejoin the team for the NBA playoffs.

After placing Thomas on the injured reserve list, the team signed John Long, who played parts of nine seasons for Detroit from 1978 to ’89.

Thomas played against Boston on Wednesday night with the wrist heavily taped but was ineffective, taking only four shots and making one.

Coach Chuck Daly said Thomas’ wrist had been painful for about nine months, but the pain became unbearable the past couple of weeks.

Thomas was scheduled to play in the All-Star Game on Feb. 10.