Only after Anthony Carter underwent surgery Thursday was it revealed that his abdominal injury was a sports hernia.

Now the mystery remains just how long Carter will be out while recovering from the surgery.

Heat coach Pat Riley said he was told the normal procedure would be to have Carter possibility returning to practice within two weeks.

"I'm just going by what the doctor says," Riley said. "It could be longer."

According to medical journals, an athlete should be able to return to normal activity in six to eight weeks. Former Heat guard Voshon Lenard had a lingering abdominal injury that was eventually diagnosed as a sports hernia late in the 1999-00 season. Lenard's surgery, though, came during the summer, so there's no telling how long he would've missed.

In Carter's place, Riley said he would use either Eddie House, Kendall Gill or Mike James as the backup point guard behind Rod Strickland.

Riley has relied on House in four of the past five games. The energetic 6-foot-1 combo guard has been erratic with his shooting (36 percent) and his ability to run the team (52 assists, 33 turnovers), which has meant inconsistent minutes.

"Sometimes when you're sitting for so long and not playing, you kind of get out of your rhythm," House said. "I really at times haven't been able to get into that rhythm. I have to find a way to produce regardless with whatever minutes I'm given."

House, who played heavy minutes in the exhibition season, was expecting a spot in Riley's regular rotation, but the season has not gone to House's liking.

"I haven't been too happy with it," House said. "I just have to find a way to play well consistently. I think that comes with just getting comfortable out there on the floor."

Milestone: Jim Jackson surpassed the 10,000-point mark for his career with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter Thursday, becoming the 233rd player in NBA history to score at least 10,000.