MIAMI -- Oklahoma City guard Shaun Livingston had surgery Tuesday to remove staples from an earlier procedure on his left knee.
"Everything went well," coach Scott Brooks said before the Thunder played the Heat in Miami. "It was minor surgery."
Brooks said there's no timetable for the return of Livingston, who has spent nearly three years trying to recover from tearing three ligaments in an ugly spill during a game in February 2007.
"He's going to be fine," Brooks said. "I haven't heard how many days or weeks, but they just said everything went well. They were pleased with what happened this morning."
Dr. James Andrews, who has worked on Livingston before, handled Tuesday's operation in Birmingham, Ala.
Pierce back at practice
WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce has returned to practice after missing a day with a sore left knee.
Pierce, 32, was hurt on Friday night against Atlanta. He says it was only a slight sprain, and he took part in the team's workout after missing Monday's practice. He says his return went smoothly.
Coach Doc Rivers gave him an occasional rest on the sideline.
Rivers and Pierce both say they expect the All-Star to be available against Golden State.
Mutombo named global ambassador
NEW YORK -- Dikembe Mutombo is joining the NBA as a global ambassador.
The league announced Mutombo's hiring to the newly created position, with commissioner David Stern calling the eight-time All-Star "one of sports' outstanding humanitarians."
Besides being a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mutombo is known for his charitable work. He opened a hospital and research center in his native Democratic Republic of Congo and is the only two-time winner of the league's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given for "outstanding service and dedication to the community."
Mutombo, who retired last season after 18 years in the league, will work on numerous international events and programs, including the Basketball without Borders camps.
Outlaw to have operation
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw will have surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.
Outlaw will have the procedure on Wednesday. It is now known yet when he might return.
Outlaw fractured the foot last Saturday during the first quarter of the Trail Blazers' game against Charlotte.
Playing off the bench, Outlaw averages 10.9 points per game.
Azubuike will have surgery on knee
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors swingman Kelenna Azubuike will undergo surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
The team says the operation will be performed Wednesday in Phoenix. Azubuike is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Azubuike injured his knee last Saturday in Milwaukee. He was averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in nine games this season.
