NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams is going to have wrist surgery and will miss the final week of the season.
The two-time All Star will have bone fragments and scar tissue removed from his right wrist in an operation on Monday, general manager Billy King said Friday before the Nets played the New York Knicks at the Prudential Center.
The surgery was originally to take place on Friday but Williams was sent home because of a scheduling conflict, King said.
Nets coach Avery Johnson said power forward Kris Humphries, the league's fifth leading rebounder (10.4), also is going to miss the last four games because of sprained ankle and bruised heel in his right foot.
Williams strained his right wrist in January and the Nets were aware of it when they acquired him from the Utah Jazz on Feb. 23 in a multi-player deal.
King said the Nets took their own MRI before finalizing the deal, and it showed no ligament damage.
The injury did not get better since the trade and the Nets sent Williams to The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City on Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Andrew Weiland.
A "fine-cut MRI" was taken and it disclosed the bone fragments and scarring, King said, noting the injury did not get worse after the trade. It just wasn't detected until the more advanced MRI was taken, he said.
"The doctor told me some of those particles had been there for a while, so you could tell he didn't do any more damage" King said.
King said the surgery would be on an outpatient basis and Williams will be on the golf course and shooting a basketball soon enough. He refused to discuss a timetable.
Coach Avery Johnson said Williams was disappointed because he wanted to play against the Knicks. King added the player was surprised by the discovery but eager to get it fixed.
"In a way it's a relief for everybody and from Deron's point because he didn't know what was causing the pain," King said.
Williams averaged 15 points and 12.8 assists in a dozen games with the Nets. His last game was memorable. The 26-year-old hit a game-winning shot and matched his career high with 21 assists in a win over Minnesota on Tuesday night.
"We clearly know where we are with this team," Johnson said. "Deron is definitely driving the car and when he's not driving it we're a different team."
Humphries was hurt in a game against the Knicks last week and he will end the season missing the final eight games.
"He's just not ready to come back, the heel is still a major issue in terms of running, and there is too much discomfort there," Johnson said. "He's been getting treatment around the clock, and this is a guy who has played with so many ailments this season. Again, to close a chapter on his season, really good thoughts about his season."
Humphries, who also averaged 10 points in 74 games, will be a free agent after this season. Johnson would like him to return to New Jersey.
"Kris is about what Nets' basketball is all about, just his mental and physical toughness," Johnson said. "He is very coachable. He has a high basketball IQ and he got better and better every single game."
The Nets also will be without rookie forward Damion James (foot) and guard Sundiata Gaines (concussion) on Friday night.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.