Eddy Curry makes long-awaited Heat debut

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2001 draft made his Miami Heat debut on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, 764 days after his most-recent NBA appearance. Curry checked in with 2:20 left in the first quarter.

Curry had not played since December 17, 2009 for New York against Chicago. He started his career with the Chicago Bulls, then played in parts of five seasons with the New York Knicks. Thursday's appearance was Curry's 11th since the start of the 2008-09 season.

The Heat signed Curry last month. Curry says he has lost more than 65 pounds to get ready for his return to the NBA, plus worked through a hip flexor injury in recent weeks.

Curry is listed at 295 pounds.