WNBA Star Lobo Out With Second ACL Injury

Liberty star is out again with the same injury she suffered last season. New York Liberty forward Rebecca Lobo has re-injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a rehabilitation session on Sunday. Lobo previously suffered an ACL tear on June 10, 1999, only 42 seconds into the season-opening game against the Cleveland Rockers at Madison Square Garden.

Dr. Norman Scott, team physician for the New York Knicks, performed reconstructive surgery on Lobo on July 1st following her initial injury in June. Lobo was in rehabilitation from the first injury and was expected to return to the game soon when she re-injured her knee on Sunday. She was playing in what the team called a controlled situation when she re-injured her knee.

Wednesday morning, Dr. Scott has performed another successful surgery on Lobo at the Beth Israel Hospital North Division in New York. “The injury was not precipitated by a muscular weakness and we anticipate a complete recovery,” said Dr. Scott. Lobo will be out for at least five more months, but is expected to return for the opening of training camp.

Lobo, 26, is averaging 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game during her WNBA career. She was named to the Second Team All-WNBA during the league’s inaugural season. Lobo has been the leading rebounder for the Liberty during the team’s two seasons, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game in 1997, and 6.9 rebounds per game in 1998. She had missed the 1999 season in which the Liberty lost to Houston in the finals.

“Obviously, we are devastated,” Liberty vice president and general manager Carol Blazejowski said of Lobo’s recent injury. “While this certainly is a setback, I am confident that Rebecca will work even harder and come back from this stronger and even more competitive than ever.”