Bucks' Simmons has ankle surgery

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) --- It looks as if the Milwaukee Bucks are going to be without forward Bobby Simmons for the remainder of the season.

The Bucks announced Tuesday that Simmons underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle and is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

The first of two scheduled operations, the procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel at Souther California Orthopedic Institute on Monday. The second surgery, which will repair a cyst in Simmons' heel bone and plantar fasciitis, has not yet been scheduled.

The 6-6 Simmons suffered a stress reaction in his right heel during training camp and has been out since October 14.

Simmons, 26, averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds last season, his first with the Bucks. A second-round draft selection in 2001, Simmons owns career averages of 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in five seasons with Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards.

Simmons enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2004-05, his final season with the Clippers. He won the Most Improved Player Award, averaging career highs of 17.6 points and 2.9 assists. He joined the Bucks the following offseason, inking a five-year deal worth approximately $47 million.