Richmond Sidelined for the Season

All-Star guard Mitch Richmond will undergo surgery on his fractured right thumb and miss the rest of the season, the Sacramento Kings said Friday.

Richmond was injured Feb. 11 while trying to steal the ball from Atlanta’s Mookie Blaylock. His hand was put in a cast the next day, and he has missed six games.

The 6-foot-5 Richmond leads the Kings in scoring at 21.9 points per game, and is averaging 4.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds. He was named as a reserve to the All-Star team for the first time but was unable to play last Sunday. He was the first Sacramento player to make the All-Star team.

Team physician Richard Marder said Richmond’s thumb will remain in a cast for four to six weeks after surgery. Richmond will then spend four to six weeks rehabilitating.

The Kings activated center Duane Causwell.