WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- Etan Thomas, whose performance had improved with additional playing time of late, has undergone surgery to repair a left orbital fracture.
He will be sidelined at least five weeks.
Thomas, 24, who will be placed on the injured list, suffered the injury Friday when hit with an elbow accidentally by New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson. The blow resulted in double vision and extensive swelling, and outpatient surgery was performed Monday by Drs. Phillip Schoenfeld and Kevin Perman.
Thomas is averaging 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as a backup to Brendan Haywood, but has played better of late, averaging more than six points and nearly six rebounds per game since Feb. 1.
"This is certainly unfortunate for Etan, as he was gaining valuable experience with every game," said General Manager Wes Unseld. "The surgery was successful, and we're confident that he will make a speedy recovery."
Washington (29-31) has lost its last two games, and will host the woeful Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night. The Wizards trail Milwaukee by one game and Orlando by a game-and-a-half in the battle for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
which is tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and have 25 games remaining.
They have activated center Jahidi White to fill Thomas' roster spot. White was available in Tuesday night's 89-86 loss to Toronto, but did not play, and has not played this season after undergoing left knee surgery this summer.
Also, the Wizards likely will be without Michael Jordan, who left in the second quarter of the loss to the Raptors with back spasms. He was listed as doubtful.
