The Washington Wizards will not open training camp Sept. 26 at full health.
Starting power forward Markieff Morris is scheduled to have sports hernia surgery on Friday. Morris is likely to miss the start of training camp at VCU in Richmond next Tuesday. However, he will have more than three weeks to recover from the surgery before Washington’s Oct. 18 opener at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The pending surgery was first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by The Washington Times.
Morris has become a crucial part of the Wizards’ Atlantic Division-winning team from last season. His versatility and rough-and-tumble play as a 6-foot-10 power forward helps provide balance to Washington’s starting five.
Morris and his twin, Marcus, are currently on trial because of felony aggravated assault charges following an Arizona grand jury indictment. They are accused of helping three other people beat Erik Hood outside a Phoenix recreation center on Jan. 24, 2015. They have pleaded not guilty. Two others have pleaded guilty to the assault charges.
The Morris twins had previously waived their right to appear before the court while their case dragged through the system in Maricopa County. Though, they were present Tuesday.
On the court, the 28-year-old Morris averaged 14 points per game last season, his first full one in Washington following a late-season trade from Phoenix in 2016.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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