Pistons’ Thomas Has Surgery and Gets Some Bad News
Isiah Thomas had bones in his right hand fused today, and the surgeon who performed the operation said it is unlikely the Detroit Pistons guard will play again this season.
“I suppose if his wrist is real solid and the bone is real sturdy, he could play sometime in May, but I’m a little nervous setting him loose on a basketball court until I’m convinced he’s ready,” Dr. Kirk Watson said.
Thomas, 29, underwent a 45-minute operation this morning. Thomas’ hand will be in a cast until March 19 and he can’t play basketball for eight weeks after the cast is removed, Watson said.
That 15-week recuperation period is three weeks longer than the Pistons had hoped.
Dr. Benjamin Paolucci, the Pistons’ team physician, was slightly more optimistic that Watson.
“It is anticipated that his return to basketball might be as early as the first week in May” after a 13-week recuperation, Paolucci said today.
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