Knee Injury to Sideline Divac for Two Months

Charlotte Hornet center Vlade Divac, bothered recently by pain and instability in his left knee, is scheduled for surgery today that could sideline him for two months.

The decision to operate was made Monday night after an MRI test done earlier in the day found cartilage damage in the joint, said Dr. Glenn Perry, the club’s physician.

Perry said the damage would be repaired in an arthroscopic procedure, followed by at least six weeks of rehabilitation.

“It could take up to eight weeks--even longer,” Perry said.

The 7-foot-1, 260-pound Divac, a native of Serbia averaging 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in his eighth NBA season, injured the knee in Charlotte’s loss Thursday night at Detroit.

Divac complained over the weekend of soreness and a loose feeling in the joint.

X-rays taken immediately after the injury showed no structural damage, but the problem was detected in Monday’s additional testing.

Perry said there were two options for the injury: surgery or rest the knee for four weeks and see if the inactivity alone would be enough to heal it.

Hornet General Manager Bob Bass said having immediate surgery made the most sense.

“After you rest it, you may have to have surgery anyway,” Bass said. “We’ll just have to get by without him until he gets back.”

Matt Geiger, who had been the subject of possible trade reports, will start in place of Divac.

Bass said Charlotte probably would try to sign a player to take Divac’s roster spot. A trade is unlikely, Bass said.

Also Monday night, the Hornets placed backup guard Dell Curry on the injured list because of a strained right calf.

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The Sacramento Kings activated forward Michael Smith.

To make room for Smith, Kevin Salvadori was placed on the injured list because of tendinitis of the left knee.