Utah Jazz point guard Mo Williams is expected to miss six weeks following surgery on his right thumb.
Williams opted for surgery after flying to New York to have a second MRI and meet Wednesday with Dr. Michelle Carlson, a hand specialist. The decision to have surgery was made following a consultation between Carlson and the Jazz medical staff.
After surgery, Williams’ thumb will be placed in a splint for six weeks and he will be re-evaluated afterward.
Williams, who played three seasons with the Cavaliers, is in his 10th season and second stint with the Jazz. He has appeared in 24 games this season and was averaging 12.9 points, 6.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
He injured the thumb Dec. 22 at Miami and has not played since.
Jamaal Tinsley started at point guard Wednesday against Minnesota.
Evans close to return
The Sacramento Kings hope guard Tyreke Evans will return from a sore left knee when the team gets back home next week.
The Kings said Wednesday that a second opinion Evans got on his bothersome knee from Dr. Steve Lombardo in Los Angeles supported the team’s treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Evans will rejoin the team in Toronto and the Kings say they anticipate he will play during the upcoming five-game homestand that starts Monday against Memphis.
Evans has missed 13 games this season because of his nagging knee. He averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the 18 games he has played.
The 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year will be a restricted free agent after the season.
Villanueva draws fine
Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for a flagrant foul on Sacramento guard Isaiah Thomas on Tuesday night.
Villanueva was ejected for the foul late in the second quarter of the Pistons’ 103-97 home victory.
Bulls, Pacers get new date
The Chicago Bulls game at Indiana that was postponed by a snowstorm last month has been rescheduled for Feb. 4.
The NBA said Wednesday that the Dec. 26 game between the Bulls and Pacers will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis early next month. Pacers officials have said fans can use their tickets for the Dec. 26 contest on the new date.
Clippers owner’s son dies
The son of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was found dead of an apparent drug overdose at his Malibu home, authorities said Wednesday.
The body of Scott Ashley Sterling, 32, was found shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County coroner’s Lt. Larry Dietz said.
The death at a beachfront apartment building on Pacific Coast Highway was discovered as Clippers fans have been celebrating the long-suffering team’s best start ever, including a 17-game winning streak.
Deputies dispatched to check on Sterling’s welfare found his body. A friend of Scott Sterling said he hadn’t been heard from for several days, according to a statement from the county Sheriff’s Department.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
“Sheriff’s homicide and Los Angeles County coroner’s personnel at this time believe that Sterling died of an apparent drug overdose,” the statement said.
Dietz said the death appeared to be accidental, but an autopsy was planned to determine the exact cause of death.
Messages left for Donald Sterling and a Clippers spokesman were not immediately returned.
