ORLANDO, Fla., March 17 (UPI) -- Oft-injured Grant Hill of Orlando is headed for an expected fourth operation on his left ankle.
Hill has been sidelined since Jan. 16. He will have his ankle fracture addressed and re-aligned Tuesday. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Nunley will perform the procedure, which also will include re-shaping the heel.
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.
Now in the third year of a seven-year, $93 million deal, Hill played just four games in 2000-01, 14 games last season, and 29 of 67 games this season.
When he was healthy earlier this season, he formed a potent 1-2 punch with Tracy McGrady and the Magic got off to a good start, winning five of their first six games.
The Magic currently are 34-33 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
The 6-8 Hill is averaging 14.6 points while shooting just under 50 percent from the field. He was voted an All-Star starter each of his first six years with the Pistons, and averaged a career-high 25.8 points in 1999-2000.
