Reporting from New Orleans — Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar has decided to have surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, the Lakers announced this afternoon.
The procedure will be performed by Dr. Clarence Shields of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group. A Lakers spokesman said the team will announce an estimated time for Farmar's return after the surgery.
On Monday, after Farmar saw two doctors who both recommended surgery, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson speculated that the timetable for Farmar's return could be up to six to eight weeks. "We're looking at a time period that's significant," Jackson said.
Farmar was injured late in the fourth quarter of Friday night's game in Miami after he stole the ball and went in for a layup.
He was averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes.
With Farmar missing the last two games, starting point guard Derek Fisher, 34, has averaged 41 minutes against Orlando and Memphis.
The Lakers have a 14-man roster and have room to add another player, meaning they can acquire a guard via trade or as a free agent.
The Lakers have said they wanted to wait to see what the future holds for Farmar and if Sasha Vujacic can handle the backup point guard role before making a decision on what to do next.
Farmar, 22, was the Lakers' first round draft pick out of UCLA in 2006. The 6-2 point guard was averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes this season.
broderick.turner@latimes.com
