Mavericks’ Parsons to undergo surgery on knee in offseason
Ex-Rocket admits he wouldn’t have played in Game 1 vs. anyone else
DALLAS — A day after the Mavericks announced their starting forward would be out for the remainder of the season, Chandler Parsons said he will require surgery on his right knee.
Parsons will meet with more doctors and will have more information next week. He said the knee injury — which he suffered March 29 when the Mavericks played in Indiana — has only gotten worse over the past several weeks.
He said there’s no tear or structural damage but that the knee will need repair.
It hurts not playing
“I have a few other appointments next week,” Parsons said Thursday. “It just never got better, and it’s just so frustrating right now because I obviously want to be playing with my team. I want to be out there.
“It’s the playoffs; it’s the most fun time of the year. I was looking forward to this series against Houston, and it’s all taken away from me. So it is devastating, and I want to be out there, but I have tried every possible thing to try to play — rehab, rest, different treatments — and nothing has worked. I have a couple of options to go over with doctors next week and will make a decision next week on what I am going to do.”
Parsons tried to play in Game 1 against the Rockets. He sat out the last six games of the regular season in hopes rest would be enough to get him through the playoffs.
He left the game at one point and tried to come back. He said the pain worsened the more he played.
“Game 1 was kind of a stretch,” he said. “If it was anyone other than Houston, I honestly probably wouldn’t have played in Game 1.”
Leans on teammates
Parsons, who played for the Rockets the last three seasons, said over the last two weeks he has leaned on teammates to get through the tough time.
“They have been great,” he said. “I am down right now with how bad I want to be playing. I think they know I tried everything to be out there with them, and they have been very supportive. Coach (Rick Carlisle) has been great.
“I have never had an injury in my life before. I have never had surgery before, and so I am nervous and worried and uncomfortable. It’s frustrating, but I have a good group of guys around me to help me through it.”
As the Mavericks try to carry on without him, Parsons plans to contribute however he can off the court. Dallas is down 2-0 in the series and hosts the Rockets at 6 p.m. Friday.
“I just need to keep supporting them,” Parsons said. “I need to be another set of eyes out there, help with play calls or any sets that I am familiar with coming from Houston. I’m still watching practice and doing everything I can to be a great teammate.”