PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand will need six months of recovery on his surgically repaired right shoulder and should be ready for the start of the 2009-10 season.

"He's got a 95 percent chance of returning as good as he is or was before," said Brand's surgeon, Dr. Craig Morgan.

Morgan repaired the torn labrum in Brand's right shoulder on Monday. Brand, who dislocated his right shoulder against Milwaukee on Dec. 17, needs a sling and can start range-of-motion exercises in about four weeks. Morgan said today that Brand could start shooting and dribbling in about three months, and needs an additional three months to return to full strength.

Brand averaged 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in only 29 games for the Sixers in the first season of a five-year, $80 million contract.