ATLANTA -- Atlanta Hawks guard Lou Williams has had reconstructive surgery on his right knee and will now begin a long rehabilitation period that could leave his status in question for the start of next season.

Williams tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee in the Hawks' game at Brooklyn on Jan. 18, ending his season. The ligament was repaired Thursday by Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Hawks orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ashok Reddy, assisted in the surgery.

The recovery period for reconstructive knee surgeries can last from nine months to a year.

Williams, in his first season in Atlanta, was third on the team with his average of 14.1 points. He signed with the Hawks as a free agent after averaging a career-best 14.9 points with Philadelphia last season.