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NBA report: Heat’s Justise Winslow likely out rest of season after shoulder surgery

(Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
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Justise Winslow’s torn right labrum was successfully repaired Thursday, and the Miami Heat forward will need to be in a sling for the next six weeks before beginning rehabilitation. The Heat believe Winslow will miss the remainder of the season.

Team physician Harlan Selesnick performed the surgery, which took 80 minutes. Winslow got hurt in the final moments of a game at Boston last week, and on the flight home was telling coaches that he was fine — even rotating his shoulder in an effort to prove his point.

But further tests this week diagnosed the tear, and a second exam on Wednesday confirmed the need for surgery.

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“To say I am disappointed is an understatement,” Winslow said. “It hurts that I can’t be there for my teammates, the coaching staff and our fans. After a lot of thought, this surgery is what is best for my career.”

It has been a difficult season for Winslow, who missed 16 games while recovering from a sprained left wrist and now likely will miss the final 48 with the injury to his non-shooting shoulder. He’s averaged 10.9 points on 35 percent shooting this season.

“I will be back,” Winslow said. “In the meantime, I will dedicate myself to the rehab process and will find a way to support my teammates and make my team better.”

Bosh still uncertain about future

Chris Bosh still is unclear about what his future holds, and while mentioning how he’s getting a “taste of retirement” stopped short of saying he will no longer pursue an NBA career.

Bosh has been sidelined since last February because of complications related to blood clots. He’s still technically a member of the Miami Heat, though has not been around the team in any official capacity since he failed a physical in September and was not permitted to resume on-court activities.

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Bosh, speaking at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas, was asked how he’s spent time away from the court.

“For me, I kind of just follow my passions and follow what I love to do and use my free time to kind of answer those questions and go through my bad moods and maybe a little light case of depression,” Bosh said. “Really, to search for what I’m looking for. And I’ve come to some interesting conclusions. It’s all about following my heart and what made me happy.”

Bosh did not specifically mention whether he will or will not try to play again, nor did he mention his health status. It’s expected that the Heat will waive him sometime after February, after the one-year anniversary of his last game appearance passes. The $76 million that Bosh is owed for this and the next two seasons remains guaranteed, but he would no longer be taking up a massive amount of Miami’s salary-cap space.

Etc.

Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller did not play Thursday night at Detroit. Zeller has been going through the NBA’s concussion protocol after he took an elbow to the head against Cleveland on Saturday. The 7-footer did not play Monday at Chicago or Wednesday against Oklahoma City.

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