National Basketball Association

Bucks’ Delfino has second foot surgery, may be out for season

Published Dec. 19, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Carlos Delfino has undergone a second surgery on his injured right foot and he isn't sure whether he will join the Milwaukee Bucks on the court this season.

"It's time to wait now," Delfino said Thursday from his home in Argentina.

After the injury last May while with Houston, Delfino signed a three-year, $9.75 million deal with the Bucks in July and expected to be ready to go when training camp opened in October. Instead, he was forced to have a second surgery and is expected to be off the foot for at least eight weeks.

"We tried something different," Delfino said. "A high-level shock therapy but we didn't have results so we — me and the organization — decided to have another surgery and take those screws and plate out."

As for his recovery, Delfino said he has heard three months, six months and more.

"But it depends on the situation and how the body reacts. I'm not going to rush again," he said.

Delfino's injury is one of many that have in part led the Bucks to a 5-20 mark, worst in the Eastern Conference.

In all, the Bucks have had nine players miss a total of 88 games due to injury, leading coach Larry Drew to use 13 different lineups.

Milwaukee got mixed news on the injury front Thursday. Forward Caron Butler, out since Nov. 29 with a knee sprain, is listed as probable for Friday, when the Bucks play at Cleveland.

However, forward Ersan Ilyasova is out indefinitely with a lingering ankle injury.

"He can't push off, he can't move laterally, he can't explode," Drew said. "He is a shell of himself because of that ankle."

Gary Neal is also out indefinitely and now wearing a boot as he battles a case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Neal was in uniform Wednesday when Milwaukee lost to New York in double-overtime but did not play. He will not travel to Cleveland, nor will Zaza Paculia, who suffered a fractured right foot Dec. 4.

"You have to try and manage and weather the storm," Butler said. "We need to get the right groups out there and remain positive. Adversity builds character."

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Basketball Association