Dallas Mavericks' F Chandler Parsons likely to undergo season-ending knee surgery

The Dallas Mavericks' drive to the Western Conference playoffs is about to hit a road bump that could derail their chances to play in the postseason.

Forward Chandler Parsons probably will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that will end his season.

Parsons has been diagnosed with a meniscus tear. He is expected to get a second opinion, but reports out of Dallas indicate Parsons is done for the season meaning that both of Parsons' first two seasons in Dallas ended prematurely with right knee problems.

In the past 27 games, Parsons has averaged 18.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Last season, he missed the end of the regular season and all but one playoff game against Houston and ended up having major reconstruction of that same right knee.

Heading into Tuesday night's action, the Mavericks were 35-35 and tied with Houston for the final spot in the West. Utah is only one game behind the Mavericks and Rockets.

Now it looks like the Mavericks will have to survive without their most consistent player over the past month.

Parsons can opt out of his contract in the offseason and become an unrestricted free agent.