Delonte West undergoes finger surgery

Updated: February 17, 2012, 7:04 PM ET
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com

Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West underwent surgery Friday to insert stabilizing pins in the right ring finger he fractured and dislocated attempting a steal Wednesday, the team announced.

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West will have a subsequent procedure to remove the pins before his return to basketball activity. The team did not set a timetable for a return but he is expected to miss a "number of weeks," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.

West has been a valuable addition to Dallas this season as a replacement for J.J. Barea, who signed a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. West has started 20 games and has split time at both guard positions, averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 assists in 22.7 minutes a game.

After starting a majority of games at shooting guard, he recently returned to a bench role backing up Jason Kidd.

Dallas will play Friday's game at the Philadelphia 76ers vastly undermanned at the guard position. Sixth man Jason Terry and reserve guard Rodrigue Beaubois are both away for personal reasons.

The Mavs' only active guards against the 76ers will be starters Kidd and Vince Carter, and seldom-used second-year combo guard Dominique Jones.

Terry missed Wednesday's win against the Denver Nuggets with a mild right quadriceps strain, but Friday's absence was unrelated, Carlisle said. Carlisle is hopeful that Terry will rejoin the team club for Sunday's game at the New York Knicks.

Beaubois is with his family after his father died unexpectedly Wednesday.

Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said Thursday the team is not looking to bring in another guard.

The Mavericks' 15-man roster is full, and Dallas would have would to release a player before signing another. Forward/center Sean Williams is on an extended assignment with the Mavs' D-League team, the Texas Legends, and his contract became fully guaranteed last week.

Jeff Caplan covers the Mavericks for ESPNDallas.com.

Jeff Caplan

ESPNDallas.com
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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