National Basketball Association

76ers rookie center Okafor needs season-ending knee surgery

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:03 p.m. ET

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Jahlil Okafor will have season-ending surgery on his right knee.

The team said Friday it will soon announce when he will have surgery for the small cartilage tear. He is expected to resume basketball activities in about six weeks.

Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2015 draft, led the NBA-worst Sixers with 17.5 points and averaged 7 rebounds in 53 games.

He has not played since he was hit hard in the shin on his right leg Feb. 28 game against Orlando. The Sixers have lost 13 straight entering Friday night's game against Brooklyn.

Okafor had been one of the NBA's top rookies. But his season has been marred by off-court trouble and served a two-game suspension for his role in a Boston street fight.