Oakland, CA – Golden State Warriors All-Star forward David Lee had successful surgery to repair a torn right hip flexor performed Thursday in Philadelphia, the team announced.
Lee sustained the ill-timed injury during Game 1 of the Warriors' Western Conference opening-round series against the Denver Nuggets, but made a surprising return to the court for the team's Game 6 clincher 10 days later. He then appeared in four of the Warriors' six matchups against San Antonio in the semifinals, though he averaged just 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in under nine minutes of action versus the Spurs.
The eight-year veteran is slated to begin rehabilitation within the next two weeks and expected to recover in time for the start of the 2013-14 season.
Lee earned his second career All-Star nod after averaging 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds in 79 games this past regular season. The 30-year-old also led the NBA with 56 point/rebound double-doubles, the first Warriors' player to achieve the feat since Wilt Chamberlain in 1963-64.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.