[monty55555]

Jason Terry underwent successful surgery on Monday to stabilize the fourth metacarpal fracture in his left hand. The Mavs are saying on Monday night that “no timetable has been set’’ for Jet’s return. So we’re stuck hoping the optimistic “three-week’’ take he provided to us comes true. And we’re stuck pondering how much Dallas will miss him. …

The surgery -- performed by Drs. Scott Oishi and T.O. Souryal at Texas Sports Medicine – is not a surprise. “Stabilizing’’ is the key word here. It's a good word. It beats some of the alternatives.

As the Mavs’ release notes, Terry was averaging 19.9 points, 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game … and we’ll add that those numbers, and everything else Jet brings, will be sorely missed.

Tim MacMahon pitches in with one more note: Jet is clutch. He's "The Closer.'' He is average of 6.4 points in fourth quarters puts him at eighth in the NBA.

Scroll down here for our at-length thoughts of who might get Jet's minutes and fill his role for the eight-plus games he figures to miss.

642pm feb 9 2009

http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=1319

GET WELL SOON JET!!!!