Working his way back
Heat guard Mario Chalmers had surgery on his right knee to clear up a season-long problem.
MIAMI — Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers revealed Tuesday that the recent procedure on his right knee actually was to address a season-long issue.
On hand Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena as the team announced a $350,000 donation from the team’s charitable fund to Big Brothers Big Sisters to create a fitness center, Chalmers said the May 29 arthroscopic procedure to repair an inflamed Plica in his right knee was something he decided to put off during a season.
“It was giving me a little issue throughout the whole year,” he said. “It’s been something that’s going on for a while, but I was able to play through it.
“I feel like right now is the perfect time for me to go in and get it cleaned out, especially going into a contract year, and a big year for us as the Heat.”
Chalmers has been doing some light shooting but said he is expecting to be cleared for more extensive court work the first week of July.
“I’ve still got quite a ways from being full back,” he said.
Chalmers’ 20-minute procedure was performed at Doctor’s Hospital in Miami by team physician Harlan Selesnick.
Chalmers appeared in a team-high 80 of the Heat’s 82 regular-season games. His only absences were a March 6 road loss to the Washington Wizards, with a bruised right knee, and when he was held out of the season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers, when the Heat were attempting to solidify their draft-lottery seeding.
Chalmers, 29, is entering the final year of a two-year contract he signed last summer, guaranteed $4.3 million for next season. He ended last season playing off the bench as a swing guard behind Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic and is anticipated to fill a similar role next season.
Chalmers and center Hassan Whiteside were on hand Tuesday as the Heat announced the funding of a fitness room will be open to all participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami mentoring programs and will feature a complete suite fully equipped with top exercise equipment, including free weights, cardio machines and weighlifting machines.