Tiago Splitter’s NBA season is over after the Atlanta Hawks back-up big man said Wednesday he will undergo hip surgery.
“It’s very hard,” Splitter said of the decision in an Instagram post. “I just got here this season and I wanted to help this team more. I wasn’t able to perform 100 per cent, that’s for sure.
“I’ve been feeling this pain for some time. We tried several techniques and treatments. It ended up being I need the surgery. I hope it goes fast and I’m ready to play again.”
Splitter expects an eight-month recovery period at the very least, which would result in the 31-year-old Brazilian-native missing the Olympics in Rio this August.
Splitter averaged 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds in 36 games for Atlanta after coming over from San Antonio last summer.
The 31-year-old Splitter is to have his operation in New York on February 25.

BOSH NOT GOING TO ATLANTA
Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh will not practice or accompany the team to Atlanta for its game on Friday night against the Hawks.
The Heat released a statement on Wednesday that didn’t specify why Bosh was not able to work out or play.
He missed the NBA All-Star Game and 3-point shooting contest last weekend because of a strained right calf. Reports surfaced since then that Bosh might have blood clots in the leg.

KIDD-GILCHRIST UNDERGOES SURGERY
Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the team announced.
Kidd-Gilchrist will miss the remainder of the 2015-16 season after suffering a second labrum injury. He hurt the shoulder again Feb. 10 in a win over the Indiana Pacers after recovering from a labrum tear during preseason to return to the court.

GRIZZLIES RECALL ENNIS
The Memphis Grizzlies recalled forward James Ennis from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound Ennis has averaged 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 15 games (13 starts) through eight assignments with the Energy.