Pippen Sidelined by Elbow Surgery

Portland Trail Blazer forward Scottie Pippen will be sidelined indefinitely after surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right elbow.

Pippen underwent the operation Monday night in Birmingham, Ala., at the clinic of Dr. James Andrews, a noted arthroscopic surgeon.

The team said the operation was successful but refused to give details. Coach Mike Dunleavy deferred to team trainer Jay Jensen, who refused to speak to reporters.

Pippen has missed 10 of the last 11 games because of tendinitis in the elbow of his shooting arm. He was put on the injured list last Thursday.

Dunleavy said it’s not known how long the seven-time all-star will be out.

“I think they evaluate after a week’s time. But any kind of scope, you’re going to be out two-to-six weeks, I would think,” Dunleavy said at the team shoot-around before Tuesday night’s game against Chicago.

Pippen told WVTM-TV in Birmingham that he expected to be out only a few weeks.

Detlef Schrempf, who retired on the first day of training camp in early October, could be back soon. Schrempf, 37, averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Trail Blazers last season and has remained on the roster. Stacey Augmon has started at small forward in Pippen’s place.

Pippen, in his 13th season, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds, his lowest numbers since his rookie year. He has been bothered by minor injuries but played very well during a 12-game stretch beginning in mid-December.

He averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds during that span, and made 53% of his shots. He had a season-high 24 points and nine assists in a victory over Indiana on Jan. 3. But after scoring 22 in a win at Boston five nights later, his right arm stiffened.

He missed the next six games and, after a two-point performance in a loss to the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 20, the injury became too painful again. He had the elbow examined by several doctors before going to Andrews.

Portland has won seven of the 10 games Pippen, 35, has missed, and the Trail Blazers are preparing to be without him for an extended period.