McMillan undergoes successful surgery; expected to return Dec. 15

PORTLAND — Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan underwent successful surgery Monday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the bench for the Blazers’ Dec. 15 game against Sacramento. The injury occurred during a Dec. 4 practice.

Dr. Jay Crary performed the surgery at Southwest Washington Regional Surgery Center in Vancouver.

Blazers lead assistant coach Dean Demopoulos will serve as the team’s head coach in McMillan’s absence, starting tonight at New York.