The New Orleans Hornets announced that forward Jamal Mashburn will miss a minimum of three weeks due to a patella femoral irritation of his right knee. The diagnosis was made today by team physician Gregor Hoffman.

Mashburn missed the Hornets? first 44 games this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove loose particles in his right knee on Nov. 3. He has averaged 20.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in the 19 games since his return.