Mihm Is Next to Have Surgery

Lakers center Chris Mihm will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue from his right ankle, repairing an injury that kept him out of 24 games at the end of last season.

Mihm suffered a severe sprain when he landed awkwardly in the final minute of a March 12 game against Seattle. He sat out the next 17 games, aggravated the injury after returning for the regular-season finale against New Orleans, and sat out the entire first-round playoff series against Phoenix.

“After four months, if you still have discomfort, there’s something wrong,” Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.

Mihm, 27, will wear a protective boot for two to three weeks and will resume basketball activities in four to six weeks. He is expected to recover in time for training camp in early October.

Two other Lakers have undergone surgery this month.

Kobe Bryant had an arthroscopic procedure last week on his right knee and will require seven to 11 more weeks to recover. Brian Cook underwent surgery this week to repair an open dislocation of a thumb joint he suffered during a pickup game. The thumb will require about seven more weeks for a full recovery.

“There’s no concern,” Kupchak said. “You don’t want any of your guys to have to go under the knife -- no surgery is ever minor -- but we fully expect complete recovery from all three players and we expect them to be full steam in training camp. This is a great time to do it if you have to do it.”

Mihm’s procedure will take place Wednesday and will be performed by Phillip Kwong, a foot specialist with the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Mihm averaged career highs last season of 10.2 points and 26.1 minutes. In two seasons with the Lakers, he is averaging 10 points and 6.5 rebounds. Next season will be the final year of his contract.

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It looks as if the Lakers will spend Christmas in Miami again.

The NBA schedule is still being finalized, but a league source said the Lakers are currently matched up against the Heat for what would be a third consecutive Dec. 25 game between the teams.

The league apparently couldn’t resist another possible ratings splurge stemming from the Shaquille O’Neal-Bryant matchup, even though the former teammates began to patch up their relationship with a brief talk and subsequent hug before the Lakers played host to the Heat in January.

Miami has won three of four games against the Lakers since the O’Neal trade, including both Christmas games.