Besiktas’ Allen Iverson inactive 6 – 8 weeks

Former NBA MVP and 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson will miss an approximate 6 to 8 weeks for Besiktas after undergoing a leg procedure.

Although Iverson posted on his Twitter account on Monday that he hopes to return at the end of March to suit up for Besiktas in time for the playoffs, his attending surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, said Iverson could miss “six to eight weeks or more” for his Turkish team.

According to Andrews, “prolonged rest” is essential to Iverson’s recovery, which could take up to 2 months or longer. The rest period includes the procedure of injection that will treat a calcium deposit in the star’s calf. He also said that the mass is in a “very precarious spot” because it is pressuring the main nerve and artery that go down Iverson’s leg.

In an official statement released by Gary Moore (Iverson’s manager), Dr. Andrews have aggravated the injury when he tried to play through it while in Turkey. “He actually tried to tough it out and continue to play while over in Turkey. However, he got to the point where he could not really run up and down the court because of increased pain. Unfortunately, he did not do himself any good trying to play through his pain,” said Andrews.

Andrews said he is expecting a “full recovery” for Iverson. The NBA veteran will be undergoing a rehabilitation process in Atlanta the upcoming weeks. He also said Iverson will be evaluated twice on a weekly basis.

Moore disclosed that Iverson will play in the playoffs for Besiktas once he fully recovers. He also said that Iverson, who signed a contract worth $4 million for 2 years with the club in October, is hoping he could make a comeback to the NBA next season if it is a viable option.

Iverson, 35, was the overall first pick of the 1996 NBA draft and is currently seventeenth in the NBA’s All-Time Scoring list.

(via CBS Sports)

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