RONDO WILL BE OUT 4-6 WEEKS

LA.» The Pelicans said METAIRIE, veteran guard Rajon Rondo is expected to be sidelined about four to six weeks following surgery on Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury.

Rondo’s injury occurred during New Orleans’ preseason game at Oklahoma City on Friday night.

The Pelicans said Rondo traveled after the injury to Philadelphia, where he was operated on by sports hernia specialist Dr. William Meyers.

The Pelicans acquired Rondo as a free agent this summer. He was expected to start in the backcourt alongside guard Jrue Holiday. New Orleans now must decide which of several other guards on the roster, including E’Twaun Moore, should slide into the starting backcourt while Rondo is out.

Fertitta: “Worth every dime.”

HOUSTON» Billionaire Tilman Fertitta has been a fan of the Rockets since before they moved to Houston.

To make his dream come true, he had to shell out an NBA-record $2.2 billion. On Tuesday, he was introduced as the team’s new owner, and he said it was worth every dime.

Fertitta owns Landry’s restaurant chain and Golden Nugget casino and hotels.

Wizards’ Mac out for season.

WASHINGTON» Wizards swingman Sheldon Mac is expected to be out for the season after having surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon.

The team said the operation was Monday.

Mac should be sidelined about six to eight months.

The Wizards play their season opener against the visiting 76ers on Oct. 18.

LeBron debuts, scores 17.

CLEVELAND» After missing the Cavaliers’ first three games of the exhibition schedule with a sprained left ankle, LeBron James made his preseason debut in the Cavs’ 108-94 loss to the Bulls, scoring a team-high 17 points.

Footnote. ESPN and FIBA announced a multiyear agreement that includes the right to distribute events across ESPN’s platforms through September 2021. — The Associated Press