PORTLAND, Ore. — Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will have surgery on his right knee today and will miss the playoffs, the team said Thursday.
Roy, who averaged 21.5 points, needs the surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered in Sunday’s 91-88 victory over the Lakers. Roy originally said he would try to play on the knee for the playoffs.
Portland plays the Suns in the first round starting Sunday in Phoenix.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Roy said. “But if I’m going to be out there, I want to be contributing. If we’re fortunate enough to advance in the playoffs, having the surgery now gives me the best opportunity to help our team.”
Recovery for such a procedure is typically four to six weeks.
Hughes fired as interim coach
LOS ANGELES — The Clippers wasted no time making their first offseason change, firing interim coach Kim Hughes in the team’s third major shake-up in 2 1/2 months.
Hughes, a former Nuggets forward, took over as interim coach for Mike Dunleavy on Feb. 4 after seven seasons as an assistant and went 8-25 the rest of the way.
Jordan one and done with 76ers
PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers fired coach Eddie Jordan after one season.
Center Samuel Dalembert has become numb to the coaching changes. In and out of Philadelphia they shuffle, taking with them various philosophies that were scrapped almost as soon as the 76ers learned the playbook. His next coach will be his eighth in 10 seasons with the team.
“When I tell guys around the league, they laugh at me,” Dalembert said.
The 76ers finished 27-55 and missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
Footnotes.
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins agreed to a new three-year contract with the team.
• Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said John Kuester will return to coach the team next season.
• Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for criticizing officials. The Associated Press
