Dragan Bender out approximately four to six weeks after surgery to remove bone spur

It appears Dragan Bender’s season-ending ankle surgery might not be so season ending after all. Per a Phoenix Suns press release issued earlier today:

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender today underwent a successful routine arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle to remove a bone spur. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ned Amendola at Duke University Hospital. Bender is estimated to return to full basketball activity in approximately four to six weeks.

Obviously the timing of Bender’s surgery is not ideal, but having a bone spur removed is probably the best case scenario in this instance. If Bender takes the full six weeks to recover, that would put his return date around Mar. 22, leaving the 19-year-old about 11 games left to conclude his rookie season.