Bucks center Pau Gasol out for playoffs after foot surgery

World
Europe

Milwaukee Bucks center Pau Gasol will miss the remainder of the NBA playoffs after surgery to repair a navicular stress fracture in his left foot, the team announced on Friday.

The Bucks confirmed that the surgery done a day earlier was successful and Gasol is expected to make a full recovery.

"Pau Gasol underwent successful surgery yesterday to repair a navicular stress fracture in his left foot. He will miss the remainder of the Playoffs and a full recovery is expected in time for training camp," Milwaukee Bucks announced on Twitter.

The 38-year-old Spaniard was signed by the Bucks on March 3 after he reached a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs. The two-time NBA champion and six-time All-Star averaged 4.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 12.2 minutes in 27 games for the Spurs this season, his 18th in the NBA. He averaged 10.1 minutes in three games for the Bucks, all during the regular season.

Gasol is one of four players with over 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 3,500 assists and 1,500 blocks in his career, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. The seven-footer helped the Lakers win titles in 2009 and 2010.

The Bucks have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals and await the winner of Game 7 between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Also, it's uncertain if Gasol will join Spain's squad for the FIBA World Cup in China this summer.

(With inputs from AP)