Mourning Has Broken Eye Socket

Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning will sit out at least two more games after being diagnosed Wednesday with a broken right eye socket.

Surgery won’t be necessary, but Miami’s leading scorer and rebounder will have to wear a protective device in the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

“Whether it’s a face mask or goggles, we won’t know until after he tries some things on,” team spokesman Tim Donovan said.

Mourning sat out two games last season and played with a protective mask for 10 more after breaking his left cheekbone in a late-season collision in a game against Boston.

Mourning, who sat out Tuesday night’s victory at New Jersey, will sit out games tonight against Boston and Saturday against Chicago but could be back Sunday at home against Charlotte.

Mourning is having perhaps his best season, averaging 20.3 points and 11.0 rebounds and leading the league in blocked shots with a 4.0 average.

His latest injury came in the first quarter of Monday night’s 90-65 victory at Cleveland, when the Cavaliers’ Cedric Henderson hit him in the face.

Mourning continued playing, finishing with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. But he complained of discomfort afterward and was sent home Tuesday for further examination.

A second facial injury to Mourning caused Coach Pat Riley to say that officials need to pay closer attention to what defenders are doing to his star center.

“This guy gets pounded and hit in the head more than any player I have ever coached in my life--over the head, in the face,” Riley said. “He’s just fortunate he doesn’t get hurt more.”