NBA stars Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen sidelined after undergoing surgery

Jet, April 7, 2003

The Orlando Magic's Grant Hill and the Portland Trail Blazers' Scottie Pippen recently underwent surgery that is sidelining both as their teams push toward the playoffs.

This is Hill's fourth operation on his left ankle, and he hopes this will save his career. Though there is no timetable for his return, next season is questionable.

Hill, 30, has had three surgeries to repair a stress fracture on the inside of his left ankle during the past three seasons. He sustained the injury in the 2000 playoffs while with the Detroit Pistons.

It is orthopedic surgeon James Nunley's opinion that one of the reasons this stress fracture has not healed after the previous surgeries has been the improper alignment of Hill's leg.

Hill, in the third year of a seven-year, $93 million deal, played just four games in 2000-01, 14 games last season and 29 of 67 games this season. He was placed on the injured list on Jan. 18.

Unlike Hill, Pippen's time frame was set at three weeks. Pippen, 37, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be out at least another week.

The point guard missed the last four games leading up to his surgery with swelling in his left knee. It was unclear how Pippen originally injured it.

The 16-year veteran's steady production has been a big reason for the Trail Blazers' success this season. Pippen started slowly, barely participating in the preseason because of a slow-healing surgically repaired right knee and back trouble.

Pippen, the team's leader, is averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 62 games. He needs just 29 more points to pass Isiah Thomas for 40th place on the NBA's career scoring list.