Szczerbiak to have ankle surgery, miss rest of season

BOSTON -- Celtics forward Wally Szczerbiak will have season-ending ankle surgery next week.

The operation at New England Baptist Hospital is scheduled for March 8, the team said Wednesday.

Szczerbiak has missed significant time four of the last five seasons because of injuries. The eighth-year pro has missed 24 games this season because of injury -- all but one due to ankle sprains.

Szczerbiak sprained his left ankle during Boston's game against Sacramento on Feb. 20, the latest of several injuries to his ankles this season.

"He kind of knew when he went down in the Sacramento game that it was pretty much over," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before Boston's game against New York.

In 32 games this season, he averaged 15 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes.