NBA Player News

Wednesday, May 15

• 05/15/13 - 2:48PM ETDwyane Wade : (Knee) Playing Wednesday

  Wade (knee) said that he will play in Wednesday's Game 5 against Chicago, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

  Wade, who was officially listed as a game-time decision following his participation in morning shootaround, will take part in pregame warmups, implying that he's all systems go. Barring a setback, expect him to take the court, though in what capacity is to be determined.

• 05/15/13 - 8:27AM ETDwyane Wade : (Knee) Game-Time Call

  Wade (knee) participated in morning shootaround and will be a game-time call for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Bulls, the Chicago Tribune reports.

  Wade is currently suffering through multiple bone bruises in his right knee, which the team's medical and training staffs will exam before potentially clearing him to play Wednesday. However, considering the mostly one-sided nature of the Heat's last three wins over the Bulls, holding Wade out would likely be the prudent approach, as a setback could severely hinder him the remainder of the postseason.

Tuesday, May 14

• 05/14/13 - 3:25PM ETKenyon Martin : Starts Tuesday

  Martin (illness) will start Tuesday's Game 4 at Indiana, New York Times reports.

  Martin should log close to his normal run, 20-to-25 minutes, as the Knicks trot out a big lineup for the first time in the second-round series. He'll replace Pablo Prigioni in the starting five, allowing Carmelo Anthony to roam the court in his typical small forward spot.

• 05/14/13 - 3:21PM ETJ.R. Smith : Set To Suit Up Tuesday

  Smith (illness) will suit up for Tuesday's Game 4 at Indiana, New York Newsday reports.

  After a few days of will he or won't he, Smith is active Tuesday following a groggy past four days. He was largely ineffective in his 25 minutes Saturday, recording just nine points and one board in 25 minutes. However, better health should allow him to provide his typical scoring punch off the bench, as the Knicks look to avoid going down 3-1 in the series.

• 05/14/13 - 3:15PM ETIman Shumpert : Set to Start Tuesday

  Shumpert's MRI on his left knee showed no structural damage, and he will start Tuesday's Game 4 at Indiana, New York Newsday reports.

  Shumpert was still experiencing soreness and swelling in the knee, which may hinder him from logging 30-to-35 minutes, as he has done through the first three games against the Pacers. Even he is held back, J.R. Smith (illness) is available to pick up the slack on the wing.

• 05/14/13 - 10:57AM ETDwyane Wade : (Knee) Day-to-Day

  Wade will receive treatment on his ailing right knee Tuesday but remains day-to-day for Wednesday's Game 5 against Chicago, ESPN.com reports.

  Wade will consult with the Heat's medical and training staff to figure out his availability for Game 5, but considering he was so clearly hampered by the injury Monday, there is a possibility that he sits out, as he did in the first-round clincher in Game 4 at Milwaukee. If he is sidelined Wednesday, Mike Miller and Ray Allen would cover for Wade at shooting guard.

• 05/14/13 - 7:56AM ETDwyane Wade : Aggravates Knee Monday

  Wade aggravated a bone bruise in his right knee during Monday's Game 4 victory at Chicago, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

  While multiple MRIs have revealed that there is no evident structural damage, Wade himself stated that three separate bone bruises exist in the knee. Moreover, when the region is re-taped, it was discovered that he must move his right kneecap over in order to avoid painful rubbing. The ailment is not an encouraging sign for his ability to stay healthy for the remainder of the postseason, but the Heat have already endured two extended stays on the sideline for Wade during the regular season, so expect Mike Miller and Ray Allen to help alleviate the pressure at two-guard, if Wade is at all limited going forward.

Monday, May 13

• 05/13/13 - 4:17PM ETLuol Deng : (Illness) Active Monday But Unlikely To Play

  Deng (illness) is active for Monday's Game 4 against Miami but is still unlikely to play, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

  Deng may just be active as insurance for an emergency scenario, but even if he doesn't play, this is a positive sign for his chances to return in Game 5.

• 05/13/13 - 7:58AM ETJ.R. Smith : (Flu) No Monday Practice

  Smith missed practice for a second day in a row Monday due to his current bout with the flu, the New York Post reports.

  Not only is the illness hindering Smith, but the frontcourt has also been affected, as Kenyon Martin has caught the bug. Smith actually took the court in Saturday's Game 3 but managed just nine points (4-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound in 25 minutes. The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year hasn't been himself of late anyway, with the illness further minimizing his potential impact as the Knicks progress through the playoffs. Consider Smith questionable to suit up for Tuesday's Game 4, despite his insistence that he'll play.