Chris Andersen Injury: Updates on Heat Center's Knee and Return

The Miami Heat announced on Jan. 15 that big man Chris Andersen is recovering from a knee injury, and it is uncertain when he will be ready to return to the court.

Continue for updates.

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Andersen Out vs. Spurs

Tuesday, Feb. 9

The Heat announced Andersen is not available to play on Tuesday against San Antonio. 

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Andersen Unable to Stay on the Court in 2015-16 Season

Andersen played two minutes, 39 seconds in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 13, but he has missed the team's previous four games. The man known as "Birdman" has suited up only seven times for the Heat this season. 

Head coach Erik Spoelstra provided a brief statement on Andersen's injury, per the team's Twitter account:

Andersen has been out of the lineup for numerous reasons this season, ranging from personal issues to illnesses and now the knee complication.

Andersen made his only shot attempt—a three-pointer—against the Clippers before exiting.

Fortunately for the Heat, they've been able to win games without Andersen, going 22-18 without him in the lineup. However, Miami's frontcourt depth is thin, and backup big man Amar'e Stoudemire has not seen the floor much this year, missing 28 games.

Because of that, it's important that Andersen returns to the lineup as soon as possible. Starting center Hassan Whiteside is also dealing with an injury, and Andersen does almost everything Miami needs in terms of athleticism, running the floor and blocking shots.

The 37-year-old big man may not be a vital difference-maker as he was in his younger years, but he can still fly when healthy.