Riley has successful surgery

The arthroscopic procedure removed three large pieces of cartilage that were causing extreme pain and the knee to lock.

Riley is also suffering from a hip ailment that will require surgery as well, but that condition is not expected to be addressed in the immediate future.

The Heat are just 13-18 this season and in third place in the Southeast Division. Miami won the NBA title a season ago, but is currently without stars Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal. Both are suffering from injuries.

Riley returned to the Heat after a two-year hiatus in December 2005, and the team racked up a 41-20 record and captured the Southeast Division crown under the guidance of the veteran general.

Riley, who has also coached the Lakers and Knicks during his illustrious career, won four championships as the head coach of the Lakers (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and led the Heat to the title in 2006.