H.R. Pufnstuf
Pretty much a regular
Dwyane Wade's comeback from a dislocated left shoulder is nearly complete.
The Miami Heat guard was on the team's active roster Sunday against Charlotte, marking his first time in uniform since he suffered the injury Feb. 21 in Houston. He was inactive for 23 games, but has been rehabbing for about a month and returned to practice with the team last week.
Wade is not in Miami's starting lineup, but is available to play off the bench. Dorell Wright was inactive, making room for the reigning NBA finals MVP on the active 12-man roster.
The Heat did not have a shootaround practice Sunday morning, but held a walkthrough session about 2 1/2 hours before tip-off against the Bobcats. Wade participated in that and, shortly afterward, the team decided to place him on the active list for Sunday.
Wade was not available for comment before the game, and Heat coach Pat Riley said in his pregame availability that Wade would be a "game-time" decision.
"When he comes back, he's going to be a player," Riley said Sunday.
A week ago, Wade said that he hoped to play in "a game or two" with the defending NBA champions before the playoffs open on the weekend of April 21, but later suggested that he would like to play in more games -- provided his shoulder responded well to practices and contact.
Without Wade, the Heat rallied from a team on the playoff bubble to one in control of the Southeast Division race; they entered Sunday three games ahead of reeling Washington for the division title. Miami was 16-7 since Wade got hurt, including a nine-game winning streak.
The Miami Heat guard was on the team's active roster Sunday against Charlotte, marking his first time in uniform since he suffered the injury Feb. 21 in Houston. He was inactive for 23 games, but has been rehabbing for about a month and returned to practice with the team last week.
Wade is not in Miami's starting lineup, but is available to play off the bench. Dorell Wright was inactive, making room for the reigning NBA finals MVP on the active 12-man roster.
The Heat did not have a shootaround practice Sunday morning, but held a walkthrough session about 2 1/2 hours before tip-off against the Bobcats. Wade participated in that and, shortly afterward, the team decided to place him on the active list for Sunday.
Wade was not available for comment before the game, and Heat coach Pat Riley said in his pregame availability that Wade would be a "game-time" decision.
"When he comes back, he's going to be a player," Riley said Sunday.
A week ago, Wade said that he hoped to play in "a game or two" with the defending NBA champions before the playoffs open on the weekend of April 21, but later suggested that he would like to play in more games -- provided his shoulder responded well to practices and contact.
Without Wade, the Heat rallied from a team on the playoff bubble to one in control of the Southeast Division race; they entered Sunday three games ahead of reeling Washington for the division title. Miami was 16-7 since Wade got hurt, including a nine-game winning streak.
