PHOENIX, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Oft-injured Phoenix Suns guard Penny Hardaway's injured right thumb likely will cost him another two weeks.
Hardaway underwent right thumb surgery on Jan. 11 and has missed the last 17 games. He is expected to be sidelined into March following the procedure, which repaired torn ligaments. Tuesday, the Suns officially placed him on the injured list.
Hardaway said he thought he suffered the injury in practice Nov. 21. He had been playing through the pain but aggravated it against Cleveland on Dec, 29. X-rays in early January revealed the tear.
The 6-7 Hardaway is averaging 10.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 36 games this season, his fourth with the Suns and 10th in the NBA. He has been an ideal complement to scorers Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion as the Suns have posted a 30-23 record, good for third in the NBA Pacific Division.
Hardaway received a seven-year, $86 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando following the 1998-99 season. This will be the fifth time he has missed at least 20 games in a season, although most of his previous injury problems have been with his knee.
In 549 career games, Hardaway has averaged 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He made the All-Star team each year from 1995-98.
