Theo Ratliff Out 4-6 Weeks After Knee Surgery
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Lakers center Theo Ratliff will be sidelined for at least four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
The Lakers say Ratliff had successful surgery Tuesday to remove part of his torn meniscus.
The veteran shot-blocker's absence will further strain the two-time defending champions' frontcourt depth.
Los Angeles still is without starting center Andrew Bynum, who hasn't returned from offseason knee surgery.
The Lakers hope he'll return to practice next week.
Ratliff played sparingly in eight games behind starting big men Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom during his first season with the Lakers.
Los Angeles has lost two straight games after an 8-0 start.
The Lakers play at Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
