PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers forward Cliff Robinson was unable to resume practice Monday after aggravating a knee injury his general manager said could jeopardize his career.
Robinson, who has missed 47 games this season, underwent arthroscopic surgery in January to repair a splintered left patella and resumed workouts last week. He was scheduled to practice with the 76ers Monday but reported pain and swelling over the weekend.
General Manager John Nash said Robinson would not be cleared to play until next week at the earliest, and he raised the possibility the injury could be career-ending.
'This injury is a serious one and might be such that he is unable to return,' Nash said. 'That would be a worst-case scenario, that Cliff is unable to come back at all. Now we'd like to get him ready to be able to help the team down the stretch and in the playoffs but there's no guarantee he'll be able to do that.'
Dr. Ray Moyer said an examination revealed Robinson's knee had been aggravated by his work last week.
'I don't think it's regressed to where it was before we performed the arthroscopic surgery, but to push it now is inviting it go back to where it was before we scoped his knee,' Moyer said.
Robinson, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the season and be eligible to sign with any team, has played in only 14 games this season, averaging 15 points a game.
He has averaged 17 points a game for his 10-year career, but he missed 20 games last season because of injuries not related to his knee problems.
'With regard to Cliff's status as an unrestricted free agent, he has to get some court time and prove that he can play in order to confirm his value and with each passing game, I think it acts in a negative way towards Cliff,' Nash said.
