Shoulder surgery to sideline Hornets’ Cody Zeller for 3 months

Charlotte Hornets power forward Cody Zeller will miss three months of physical activity after successful surgery Wednesday on his right shoulder.

Hornets team physician Dr. Marcus Cook performed the procedure at Novant Orthopedic Hospital.

Zeller missed 19 of the Hornets’ final 20 games. The day after the season ended Zeller told media he’d been diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff. In addition, Cook removed a bone spur and some scar tissue during Wednesday’s procedure, the team announced.

Zeller said last week he anticipated missing four to six weeks if surgery was necessary. This new recovery time means Zeller won’t be available for offseason shooting work or scrimmages until mid-July.

Coach Steve Clifford said he wouldn’t ask Zeller, a third-year pro, to play in summer league, but he’d be welcome to practice with the summer-league team. This surgery makes that moot.

Clifford said Zeller’s priority this summer should be extending his shooting range beyond the NBA 3-point line to become a true “stretch” power forward. This injury delays that plan.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Shoulder surgery to sideline Hornets’ Cody Zeller for 3 months."