76ers’ Barkley Will Have Surgery to Remove Bone Spur in Shoulder

Philadelphia 76er forward Charles Barkley will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right shoulder, General Manager John Nash said Wednesday.

Nash said the operation probably will be performed next month.

“He will have a full recovery,” team spokesman Zack Hill said. “It’s a tiny little incision just to remove a bone spur. He will be ready to roll come training camp Aug. 1.”

Barkley, who narrowly lost to Magic Johnson this week for the NBA most valuable player award, repeatedly rubbed his shoulder during the Chicago series, which the 76ers lost four games to one.

In the last three games, he made only 25 of 46 free throws, just 54.3%, compared with 74.9% during the regular season.

“It was very frustrating because I couldn’t play in the playoffs the way I would like to,” Barkley said Wednesday.

He said he held no fear of surgery but noted he will need six to eight weeks of rehabilitation.

“Now I’ll just have to start over,” he said.

Hill said Barkley will meet soon with the team’s physician, Dr. Jack McPhilemy, to schedule the operation.