INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been cleared to play after recovering from the left knee and left shoulder surgeries he had in May.
Miami coach Pat Riley didn’t put a timetable on Wade’s return to the lineup. In the announcement before Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, Riley said Wade has been practicing, but without making any contact.
Riley plans to be careful in bringing back his All-Star.
“His conditioning is not to the level that he needs it to be for the kind of game we need from him, but this is a big step for us,” Riley said. “We’re not going to have any kind of watch. I think when he decides to play is the day you’ll know about it.”
Riley said he’d sit down with Wade on Saturday and discuss the matter. Wade didn’t make the trip to Indianapolis.
“We’ll see how he feels, how comfortable he is,” Riley said. “Once this switch has been hit, I think it will change his mind-set as far as really prepping to get ready.”
Riley said the shoulder is in good shape.
“I think it’s as strong and durable as it’s going to be after five months.”
Wade averaged 27.4 points last season but missed 31 games with a variety of injuries – primarily the dislocated left shoulder he suffered in February.
He returned late in the season and for the playoffs, but he wasn’t his normal explosive self. He averaged 23.5 points in the playoffs, but shot just 43 percent from the field as the Heat were swept in the first round by the Chicago Bulls.
Miami lost its season opener Thursday night, 91-80 to the Detroit Pistons. Riley said Wade’s return would give the Heat a lift.
“We look forward to his return, when he’s ready to go.”
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