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January 27, 2004

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest has torn ligaments in his left thumb and he'll need surgery, but he might not need that surgery until the NBA season is over.

Artest had the thumb examined in New York yesterday, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirms that the ligaments are torn. Carlisle also says the team hasn't decided when the surgery will be scheduled.

Artest is Indiana's second-leading scorer. He's averaging 17.5 points a game, but has hit only 32 percent of his shots over four games since injuring the thumb.

He's questionable for tomorrow's game against Phoenix.