Turkoglu Out for Rest of Regular Season

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Orlando Magic basketball star Hedo Turkoglu is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair facial fractures and will be out at least three weeks, the team’s General Manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel. Turkoglu himself told the Sentinel after practice that he might need surgery and wore a bandage on his right cheekbone.

The Turkish small forward was injured in a game against the New York Knicks. He sustained the injury after being inadvertently hit in the face by New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony caught Turkoglu with an elbow as he was completing a jump-shot. Turkoglu left the game in the second quarter, dazed and bleeding, and did not return.

The Magic said that Turkoglu received several stitches under his right eye.

He did not accompanying the Magic to Philadelphia for Saturday night’s game against the 76ers. He said after practice that he was planning to see a doctor to outline a recovery plan. “I might have to have surgery — I don’t know. There’s some fractures,” Turkoglu said. “I didn’t think it would be this bad.”

Orlando, reeling after five consecutive losses, has been hit with numerous injuries lately that have caused lineup changes. Van Gundy said Turkoglu and power forward Ryan Anderson (ankle) did not practice during live drills, but that center Dwight Howard (sore back) and Quentin Richardson (sore back) took part in the walk-through portions. The Magic hope to have Turkoglu back in time for the playoffs which start at the end of April.

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