Hill undergoes third ankle surgery

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five-time All-Star Grant Hill will miss the rest of the season after undergoing a third operation on his left ankle.

The Orlando Magic forward played in 14 games this season after missing all but four games last year. He signed a seven-year, $93 million contract with Orlando in August 2000.

"I'm disappointed for the fans and my teammates," Hill said in a statement Tuesday. "Hopefully, this will lead me down the road to recovery. I will continue to remain optimistic as I face this latest challenge."

Hill averaged 16.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season. He led the team with five double-doubles.

He will have a bone spur removed by Dr. Mark Myerson in Baltimore on Wednesday. Myerson, who performed bone-graft surgery on the ankle in January, also will check and reinforce the site of the original stress fracture.

"The doctors are confident that this procedure will address the underlying cause of Grant's ankle problem and give him the best chance to get healthy," Magic general manager John Gabriel said.

Hill hasn't played since Nov. 26, missing 11 games, and was placed on the injured list Dec. 7. His absence is a large factor why the Magic -- a preseason favorite in the Eastern Conference -- have lost six of their last 11 games and have a 12-14 record.