Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins had surgery on his left groin and will be sidelined for approximately six weeks, the team announced Tuesday.
Perkins, averaging 3.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 54 starts this season, sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Thunder’s loss to the Miami Heat last Thursday night while setting a screen. He did not return to that game and also sat out Oklahoma City’s 125-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
The Thunder, who lead the Western Conference with a 43-14 record, are 0-3 this season with Perkins out of the lineup. He previously missed two games in December for personal reasons.
Rookie Steven Adams started in place of Perkins against the Clippers on Sunday and had one point, six rebounds and one blocked shot in 16 minutes.