http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14023894p-14856237c.html
Abdur-Rahim gets hint of hope
The Kings' power forward might be back in weeks instead of months after surgery on his broken jaw.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 29, 2005
"Not good." That's all Shareef Abdur-Rahim had to say Wednesday afternoon about his current state, just before he was to meet with Kings trainer Pete Youngman to decide the fate of his broken jaw.
After the meeting, however, his status was upgraded to could-have-been-worse, when the Kings learned there was a small chance their starting power forward could be back in a matter of weeks instead of months.
The forward, whose jaw was broken against Portland on Monday night, had surgery at Mercy General Hospital on Wednesday night, a procedure that was the lesser of two evils as a means to repair his left mandibular angle fracture. The procedure was a success, team spokesman Troy Hanson said. The surgery was performed by Dr. Brian Royse, who immobilized Abdur-Rahim's jaw and wired it shut for the next six weeks. Abdur-Rahim will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
The alternative was a procedure in which a plate is inserted into the jaw area, with the recovery taking much longer. Whether Abdur-Rahim can play through the pain and discomfort of having his jaw wired shut, though, is far from certain.
Abdur-Rahim is averaging 16.5 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. He has been among the most consistent Kings, scoring in double figures in all but two games. His field-goal percentage (54.7) is a career high and trails only that of seldom-used center Brian Skinner (70 percent).
When the injury occurred in the third quarter at Arco Arena, Abdur-Rahim was defending Zach Randolph, his teammate in Portland last season. In establishing position, Randolph threw his left arm backward, the elbow flying high and catching Abdur-Rahim along the left side of the jaw. Abdur-Rahim flew backward and on his back, yelling at officials because they didn't call a foul. He continued to play, however, scoring on the next possession. Minutes later, when he and Randolph were tangled up again, they were assessed double technical fouls for verbal sparring. Abdur-Rahim finished with 18 points in 37 minutes.
Late Monday night, Abdur-Rahim flew with the team to face the Los Angeles Clippers, but he returned early Tuesday morning when X-rays showed the fracture. He said the news was surprising, since the X-ray was considered only precautionary.
The Kings pulled off a surprising 110-93 win without him, taking the Clippers out of first place in the Pacific Division while also missing injured starters Bonzi Wells and Peja Stojakovic. Stojakovic, who strained his groin against Portland in his first game back from a back injury, said Tuesday night he did not know if he would play Friday against Boston.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Abdur-Rahim gets hint of hope
The Kings' power forward might be back in weeks instead of months after surgery on his broken jaw.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, December 29, 2005
"Not good." That's all Shareef Abdur-Rahim had to say Wednesday afternoon about his current state, just before he was to meet with Kings trainer Pete Youngman to decide the fate of his broken jaw.
After the meeting, however, his status was upgraded to could-have-been-worse, when the Kings learned there was a small chance their starting power forward could be back in a matter of weeks instead of months.
The forward, whose jaw was broken against Portland on Monday night, had surgery at Mercy General Hospital on Wednesday night, a procedure that was the lesser of two evils as a means to repair his left mandibular angle fracture. The procedure was a success, team spokesman Troy Hanson said. The surgery was performed by Dr. Brian Royse, who immobilized Abdur-Rahim's jaw and wired it shut for the next six weeks. Abdur-Rahim will be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
The alternative was a procedure in which a plate is inserted into the jaw area, with the recovery taking much longer. Whether Abdur-Rahim can play through the pain and discomfort of having his jaw wired shut, though, is far from certain.
Abdur-Rahim is averaging 16.5 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. He has been among the most consistent Kings, scoring in double figures in all but two games. His field-goal percentage (54.7) is a career high and trails only that of seldom-used center Brian Skinner (70 percent).
When the injury occurred in the third quarter at Arco Arena, Abdur-Rahim was defending Zach Randolph, his teammate in Portland last season. In establishing position, Randolph threw his left arm backward, the elbow flying high and catching Abdur-Rahim along the left side of the jaw. Abdur-Rahim flew backward and on his back, yelling at officials because they didn't call a foul. He continued to play, however, scoring on the next possession. Minutes later, when he and Randolph were tangled up again, they were assessed double technical fouls for verbal sparring. Abdur-Rahim finished with 18 points in 37 minutes.
Late Monday night, Abdur-Rahim flew with the team to face the Los Angeles Clippers, but he returned early Tuesday morning when X-rays showed the fracture. He said the news was surprising, since the X-ray was considered only precautionary.
The Kings pulled off a surprising 110-93 win without him, taking the Clippers out of first place in the Pacific Division while also missing injured starters Bonzi Wells and Peja Stojakovic. Stojakovic, who strained his groin against Portland in his first game back from a back injury, said Tuesday night he did not know if he would play Friday against Boston.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
