Divac Set for Back Surgery and Will Sit Out 12 Weeks

Vlade Divac will undergo surgery today to repair a herniated disk in his back, a process that will require about 12 weeks of rest and rehabilitation before the Laker center can return, if he does at all this season.

Divac received a second opinion Wednesday from New York specialist Andrew Feldman, who concurred that Divac’s best option would be surgery. William Dillin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic will perform the operation.

Divac’s targeted return would be the first few days of April. The Lakers’ last regular-season game is April 20.

Divac is averaging 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 4.6 minutes a game. His scoring had gradually declined in recent seasons, although he averaged 9.9 points and a career-best 5.3 assists last season with the Sacramento Kings.

Divac, who turns 37 next month, elected to undergo surgery with equal parts relief and regret.

“I feel bad, but in some way I’m also relieved,” Divac said. “I know when I come back I’m not going to have pain. The last three months, it was on and off, on and off.”

Divac initially hurt his back while trying to do a spin move during an informal workout in September. He sat out the exhibition season and 11 regular-season games before returning Nov. 23. He played eight games, sat out five more because of coach’s decision, and felt another jolt in his back two weeks ago when he got up from a sofa.

During his return, Divac worked with Laker physical therapists to relieve pressure from the nerves around the disk, but the latest flare-up put him back on the injured list.

“I can take a lot of pain, but this is too much,” Divac said. “Every day it’s the same thing. In this regard, I know [today] we’ll cut the pain off. Obviously now, I’m just wasting time if I wait. I am disappointed, but I still believe in the positive. I’m going to get back before playoffs probably.”

Divac signed a two-year, $10.3-million contract in July as a free agent. The Lakers can buy out the second year of his contract for $2 million.

Divac sat out only six games over the last five seasons with Sacramento.

“It’s a tough thing, and it happens,” Laker Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “Of course he was part of our plans, and it just never materialized. We were hoping to use all that passing and get some layups in the half court and have some experience. It makes us even younger overall.”

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Chris Mihm, penciled in as a backup before the season began, will continue to get the bulk of the minutes at center in Divac’s absence.

Mihm, a career reserve when he was acquired from the Boston Celtics, has averaged 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.1 minutes.

“This guy’s done a great job with the opportunity he’s been getting,” Tomjanovich said.

Divac’s prolonged absence also means more time for Brian Grant, who has played six games since returning from the injured list because of severe tendinitis in his right knee.