MIAMI (AP) -Dwyane Wade is finally ready to play.
Miami’s All-Star guard, recovered from offseason shoulder and knee surgeries, was on the active roster for the first time this season Wednesday night, when the Heat faced the Seattle SuperSonics.
Wade’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Heat, who entered the night with a 1-6 record and are averaging an NBA-worst 83.3 points.
But having Wade – who averaged a career-high 27.4 points last season – is sure to help in both of those categories.
Wade had surgery on his left shoulder and left knee May 15, and was told by doctors that the rehabilitation process would last six months. Thursday is the six-month anniversary of those procedures.
The shoulder – which was dislocated in February – no longer necessarily concerns Wade, who said earlier this month that it’s stronger than his right one.
But the knee was Wade’s primary source of worry over the past couple weeks. He had surgery to relieve the condition commonly called “jumper’s knee” and said he didn’t want to return to the Heat lineup until he was convinced that the joint could hold up to the rigors of NBA life.
Team doctors cleared him for full-contact practice earlier this month and Wade began those workouts Nov. 5, although he was able to participate in certain on-court drills since training camp began about a month earlier.
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