MIAMI Heat veteran centre Alonzo Mourning may have played his last NBA game.
Mourning, who suffered a torn knee tendon in Miami's loss to Atlanta on Thursday, is scheduled for surgery according to a Miami Herald website report.
The 6-8 month rehabilitation period would sideline him for the rest of the season, and the 37-year-old has said this would be his last NBA campaign.
"It's disappointing to think that my career may end this way," Mourning said. "But there are just so many other things that are important in life. I have my whole life to do other things."
Mourning was hurt in the first quarter when he ran down the court and placed himself under the basket to block a shot.
The 15-year veteran fell to the floor and clutched his knee, pounding the court in frustration.
Mourning, a seven-time All-Star, helped Miami to the 2006 NBA title.
Mourning almost saw his career end in 2003 when he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. He received a transplant and returned for the 2004-05 season.
Mourning, taken at No. 2 in the 1992 NBA draft, has played 838 NBA games, averaging 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds.
