When the Phoenix Suns announced last week that guard Eric Bledsoe had undergone right knee surgery, they hinted at a possibility of Bledsoe returning at some point this season. The aim, per reports, is for the 24-year old star to rejoin the team in 4-6 weeks. Per Arizona Sports 98.7 and the AZ Republic:
Bledsoe will return this season because his meniscus was removed not repaired. So 4-6 week to return.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 10, 2014
It was his second surgery in 27 months to address a meniscus tear in his right knee, which had been repaired in October 2011 and sidelined him for almost four months. Bledsoe is expected to return this season, perhaps sometime after the mid-February All-Star break, and that speedier timetable means that a piece of the same meniscus was removed rather than a repeat repair that would sideline him for months.
“We were very pleased about the outcome of the surgery and look forward to Eric returning before the end of the season,” Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said after Friday morning’s surgery, performed by team physician Thomas Carter in Phoenix.
“Guys are going to have to step it up,” Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. “We don’t have that other guy in there that when Goran (Dragic) doesn’t have the ball, that can make plays. But we still have to execute our plays and try not to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be the guy that picks it up.’ They’re just going to have to be more focused.
“It’s unfortunate that he’s going to miss some games but I think the more they play together, the more they’ll get used to the rotation and hopefully that’ll make us better.”
