Warriors G Ellis to miss start of season

Aug 27, 2008 - 8:02 PM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors will begin their season without guard Monta Ellis.

The Warriors announced Wednesday that Ellis will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery on his left ankle.

Ellis, 22, had been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, a torn deltoid ligament and a syndesmosis disruption. The Warriors have not released a timetable for his return, claiming that a return date will be determined following a 12-week rehabilitation.

Ellis, who signed a six-year, $66 million contract extension with the Warriors this offseason, will have his ankle immobilized for approximately six weeks and will spend the next six weeks undergoing what the team referred to as "off-court" rehabilitation.

According to the Warriors, Ellis suffered the injury six days ago during a workout in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Wednesday's operation was performed by Dr. Angus McBryde at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

A three-year veteran, Ellis averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 53 percent from the floor last season for the Warriors.

Golden State was counting on the 6-3 Ellis to assume an even bigger role in the wake of Baron Davis' signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.