THE SIDELINES : Harper Has Knee Surgery, Team Doctor Says It Was Successful

Clippers guard Ron Harper underwent a 2 1/2-hour operation today to repair damage to his right knee, the team announced.

Harper, injured Jan. 16 in a game against Charlotte, had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and partially remove torn cartilage. The operation, performed in Cleveland by team physician Dr. Tony Daly and Cavaliers team physician Dr. John Bergfeld, was deemed successful by Daly.

Daly said a piece of patella tendon was transplanted to make a new ligament in the knee, a process like last year’s surgery on Clippers forward Danny Manning. Manning missed nearly 11 months.

Harper, who was averaging 23 points and nearly 2 1/2 steals, will rehabilitate his knee near his Cleveland home. He is expected to be sidelined for about one year, Daly said.