OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Monta Ellis passed another milestone in his recovery from his offseason ankle injury Wednesday when the Golden State Warriors' medical staff moved him into the final stage of his rehabilitation.
Ellis, who hasn't played this season, underwent a strength test Tuesday and an examination before Wednesday's game against the Lakers. Team doctor John Belzer cleared Ellis to begin strenuous running and jumping along with shooting drills, the final steps before returning to practice and playing for Golden State.The Warriors gave no timetable for Ellis' return to practice.
Ellis severely sprained his left ankle while crashing a motorized scooter in August, about one month after he signed a six-year, $66 million contract extension to stay with the Warriors. The team suspended Ellis without pay for 30 games because he violated his contract by riding the scooter. The suspension expired last month.
Ellis averaged career bests of 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season while emerging as a dependable shooter for the league's highest-scoring club. The former second-round draft pick was expected to be the centerpiece of Golden State's offense after Baron Davis' offseason defection to the Clippers, but his injury has been a major factor in the Warriors' dismal first half of the season.
