NBA Spurs lose rookie guard Walker after right knee surgery
SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 5: Lonnie Walker IV #1 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for the National Anthem against the Detroit Pistons during a pre-season game on October 5, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP
Walker underwent an MRI exam Saturday morning that showed he had suffered a torn medial meniscus in his right knee in the fourth quarter of a 117-93 pre-season home victory over Detroit.
Spurs team physician David Schmidt will perform the operation, after which a timeline for his return will be determined, although typical recovery time would be a minimum of six weeks.
Walker scored six points in his only pre-season appearance. The 19-year-old American was the 18th selection in June’s NBA Draft and played for the Spurs Summer league squad.
The Spurs, who have not missed the playoffs since 1997, were seventh in the Western Conference last season and lost in the first round to eventual champion Golden State.
The team has revamped the roster since last season, with long-time guard Tony Parker now at Charlotte and DeMar DeRozan joining the Spurs this season from Toronto.
