CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Charlotte Bobcats scoring leader Jason Richardson will be out about a week following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Richardson underwent an exploratory procedure Wednesday after complaining about inflammation. A team spokesman said no structural damage was found, but Richardson will miss Friday's game against Utah and is doubtful for Sunday's contest against Orlando.It's another headache for coach Larry Brown, who has struggled to get the Bobcats to become consistent on offense. Charlotte is averaging 87.3 points per game, second worst in the NBA.
Richardson is averaging 17.6 points and shooting 39 percent from 3-point range. He led Charlotte with 23 points in an 88-80 loss to Denver on Tuesday that dropped the Bobcats to 2-5 in Brown's first season.
Richardson's absence will likely mean more playing time for Adam Morrison, who scored 16 points off the bench against the Nuggets and has played well in his return from knee surgery.
Still, Richardson's injury further depletes a thin roster. The Bobcats failed to make an offseason move to shore up the frontline despite putting small forward Gerald Wallace on the trading block.
Wallace could still be traded as Charlotte looks for a big man to open up the offense.
Richardson's absence leaves Charlotte without its most consistent outside scoring threat, too. Richardson led the NBA with 243 3-pointers last season, and has scored 20 or more points four times this season.
Richardson was acquired from Golden State in a draft night deal in 2007 that sent Brandan Wright, the No. 8 pick in the draft, to the Warriors.
