Stojakovic Out at Least Two

Peja Stojakovic will be sidelined for at least the first two games of the Western Conference final series against the Lakers, the Sacramento Kings said Wednesday. Game 1 is Saturday afternoon at Arco Arena.

Stojakovic sprained his right ankle May 9 in Game 3 of the Kings’ conference semifinal series against the Dallas Mavericks. He did not play in Games 4 or 5 and is unable to run or simply shoot baskets while his teammates practice.

How long Stojakovic, a first-time All-Star who was averaging 18.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in the playoffs, will be sidelined is uncertain.

If he cannot play, Hedo Turkoglu with start in his place. It also will deprive fans of one of many intriguing matchups in this series: Stojakovic versus Laker forward Rick Fox.

“Right now, I think he’s a long way from playing,” Sacramento Coach Rick Adelman said after Wednesday’s practice. “He definitely won’t play in Sacramento, and I just have to assume we’re not going to have him.... All we can do is wait and see how quickly it [his ankle] responds.”

Stojakovic, a 6-foot-9 swingman, was not immediately available for comment. Adelman told reporters than Stojakovic is not using crutches to get around. But he added that Stojakovic continues to receive twice-daily treatments.

Bobby Jackson filled in for Stojakovic in Game 4, but Adelman went with Turkoglu in Game 5 and Turkoglu scored 20 points and took 13 rebounds. The Kings won the game and took the series, four games to one, over the Mavericks.

Six Sacramento players scored at least 15 points in Game 5 against the Mavericks, and Turkoglu ended a prolonged shooting slump with a big game in his first playoff start.

“It felt good to help the team, but Peja is the star,” Turkoglu said. “I just have to do my best until he’s ready to come back.”

During the regular season, Stojakovic averaged a career-best 21.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. With Fox hounding him, Stojakovic averaged 18 points in four games against the Lakers, however.

Without Stojakovic in their last two games, the Kings continued to score with their customary effectiveness. Forward Chris Webber has been saying this season that the Kings’ offensive diversity has been their strength this season.

Indeed, Sacramento scored 102 points or better in each of its five playoff games against the fastbreaking Mavericks, a team that’s unlike the more patient Lakers.

This isn’t Stojakovic’s first extended absence this season. He also sat out nine games and played one minute in another late in the regular season because of a strained right hamstring. The Kings won eight of those 10 games, however.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.