World Peace out six weeks for knee surgery

LOS ANGELES (AFP) –

Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Los Angeles Lakers forward World Peace will undergo left knee surgery on Thursday and be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, the NBA club announced on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace will undergo left knee surgery on Thursday and be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks, the NBA club announced on Wednesday.

World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, suffered a torn lateral meniscus in the knee in a 109-103 loss Monday at Golden State and was sent to Los Angeles for an exam rather than staying with the team for a game at Minnesota.

“I can’t wait to get back,” World Peace said on his Twitter page. “But our team is so good we will win and get into the playoffs.”

The 33-year-old veteran is averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds a game over 70 appearances this season for the Lakers, who at 36-35 hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference despite losing their past three games.

Dallas and Utah are both 35-36 in the hunt for the last playoff berth with 11 games remaining.

A likely first-round date with either San Antonio or Oklahoma City awaits the eighth seed in the West.

Based on the team’s timetable, World Peace would not have any chance of returning this season unless the Lakers advance at least to the second round of the playoffs.