Hawks' Ellis Out For Year

LaPhonso Ellis of the Atlanta Hawks will miss the rest of the season because of a sports hernia that will require surgery.

Ellis, on the injured list since March 14, originally was diagnosed with back spasms, but because he was showing no improvement and the pain had not subsided, team trainers took him to a back specialist who in turn sent Ellis to a hernia specialist.

The Hernia is high on teh left side and the Hawks said Tuesday the specialist thinks the injury might have been the byproduct of hip surgery a few years ago when some bone was removed, possibly weakening his body.

Ellis, in his first year with the Hawks after six seasons with Denver, had started 20 games before being sidelined. He was averaging 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He was signed as a free agent to a two-year contract.

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