Kevin Garnett has knee surgery

BOSTON, May 26 (UPI) -- Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove bone spurs from his right knee, the NBA team said.

Celtics President Danny Ainge described the procedure as a success. Garnett missed some of the late regular season and the playoffs because of posterior knee bone spurs but he is expected to fully recover for next season, Ainge said.

"I expect Kevin to return to active duty in full force and be that consummate two-way professional that he has shown all of us throughout his fantastic NBA career," said Celtics Coach Doc Rivers.

Garnett played in 57 games in 2008-09 and averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds a game. He missed a month of the schedule because of knee problems and returned March 20. But he was able to play in only four games before sitting out again. He also didn't appear in the playoffs, in which the defending NBA champions were eliminated in the second round.

Garnett has played 14 seasons in the NBA, the first 12 with Minnesota before joining the Celtics prior to the 2007-08 season. He has played 1,051 games and averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds a game over his career.