Mario Chalmers injury: Heat guard could miss up to 5 games

After tearing a tendon in his left ring finger, Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers could be sidelined for up to five games, according to a report in the Sun Sentinel.

Chalmers suffered the injury during the first half of the Heat's loss to the Washington Wizards, and the former Kansas star was seen wearing a splint on his finger during the second half of Tuesday's game. The injury calls for a 7-10 day recovery period, meaning Chalmers could miss up to five games for the Heat.

"I caught a pass," Chalmers told the Sun Sentinel after the game. "Somehow my finger got caught in the ball ... It's hard to say right now. I got to go back to the team doctor and see what they say. All I can tell you is it's the top part of my ring finger. We'll see. I'll get it checked out [Wednesday] and go from there."

With Chalmers sidelined, and Norris Cole day-to-day with a groin injury, the Heat will likely look to LeBron James or Dwayne Wade to run the point Thursday against the New York Knicks.

Through 16 outings this season, Chalmers had averaged 24.9 minutes, 6.4 points and 4.3 assists per game.