EAST RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) -
New Jersey Nets forward Clifford Robinson underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, the National Basketball Association club announced.
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The 39-year-old veteran of 18 NBA seasons averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in seven games this season but missed the Nets' past four games due to soreness in the knee.

No timetable was given for the possible return of Robinson, whose 1,337 career games rank seventh in NBA history. Robinson has career averages of 14.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a game.

The Nets obtained Robinson from Golden State in February of 2005. Robinson started 13 games last season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes. He shot 43 percent from the field, including 34 percent of 3-pointers.

On May 12, Robinson was found to have violated terms of the NBA's anti-drug program and was suspended five games. He missed the last three games of the Nets' loss to eventual NBA champion Miami in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Robinson also was suspended five games for violating the anti-drug policy in 2005 with Golden State just before being traded to the Nets.