Phoenix Suns guard Kevin Johnson underwent abdominal hernia surgery Friday night and will be sidelined up to two months.
Johnson, who has said that this, his 10th season, would be his last, was bothered by pain in his lower abdomen and groin last season and missed 26 games.Team physician Dr. Richard Emerson said surgery became necessary when treatment didn't resolve the ailment. Johnson, 30, underwent the operation at St. Luke's Medical Center.
"Dr. Emerson says it was successful and Kevin is already out of the hospital," Suns spokeswoman Julie Fie said. "It is anticipated Kevin will be out six to eight weeks."
The Suns begin training camp Oct. 4 in Flagstaff.
Johnson, whose final year of his contract will pay him a reported $7 million, was acquired by Phoenix from Cleveland late in his rookie season in February 1988.
Various injuries, mainly to his hamstrings, have limited Johnson to an average of 55 regular-season games over the past four years.
Johnson is being counted on this season to tutor rookie point guard Steve Nash, the Suns' first-round draft pick out of Santa Clara.
Phoenix acquired veteran guard Sam Cassell as part of the Aug. 19 trade of Charles Barkley to the Houston Rockets and dealt fourth-year pro Elliott Perry to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.