Heat's Hassan Whiteside: Says he intends to play Thursday

Whiteside (finger) said he intends to play Thursday against the Raptors, but the Heat haven't made an official decision on his playing status, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports.

Analysis:

Whiteside posted a double-double in Tuesday's win over the suns, but he jammed his finger on the bottom of the backboard late in the fourth quarter, which forced him out of the game and required 13 stitches. The big man was wearing a wrap on his right hand following the game, but he was spotted in the team's weight room Wednesday. A more conclusive report on his status for the team's next game likely won't be available until Thursday's shootaround, but coach Erik Spoelstra said Whiteside hasn't been ruled out yet.