Report: Wade could return Saturday
Help is on the way for the Chicago Bulls.
Dwyane Wade went through a full-contact scrimmage as part of team practice on Wednesday. This inspired confidence that Wade may return in time to aid the Bulls' playoff push, with CSN's Vincent Goodwill reporting that Wade is targeting Saturday's game in Brooklyn for his return.
The 35-year-old was initially ruled out for the regular season after suffering a fractured right elbow. And although Wade will not play in Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg did crack a window for Wade's return.
"He went through part of the contact in practice today and he looked good," Hoiberg said, as reported by ESPN's Nick Friedell. "Guys were out there - a good, spirited workout. Dwyane was able to participate in a lot of the contact drills. The big thing for him right now is getting his conditioning and wind and timing back, but it was great to see him out there and part of our scrimmage."
However, Hoiberg stopped short of a concrete timeline.
"It's still too early to tell," he said.
Chicago is currently clinging to a playoff spot by a mere half game, but their finishing schedule is laughably easy. They face the Sixers, Magic and two contests against the Nets to close out the season - although nothing is quite guaranteed for a Bulls side that inexplicably loses to bottom-tier competition while also relishing the role of king slayer.
Wade holds averages of 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field in 56 games this season.