He added that Starks could be available and possibly make the trip to Dallas for Game 4 on Tuesday if the Mavericks extend the series with a win. Karl Malone missed Friday's practice because one of his children was having dental surgery. John Crotty also missed practice with a stomach virus, but he and Malone were expected to travel to Dallas. Starks had surgery Tuesday and was hospitalized overnight for a condition called testicular torsion, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Allred refused to confirm the report, saying only that Starks' aliment wasn't basketball-related.
Patients complain of swelling and extreme pain in the testicle.
Prompt treatment, usually within four hours, is required. Sometimes doctors can untwist the testicle by hand, but surgery often is necessary. We'll open up and untwist the testicle, then give it a few minutes to see if that restores the blood supply. More often than not, the testicle remains dark and that indicates the tissue has died. In that case, the testicle must be removed because gangrene can set in.