Dwyane Wade returned to Heat on Sunday after 7-game absence
The Miami Heat will finally have shooting guard Dwyane Wade in the lineup Sunday when they attempt to feast on the struggling New York Knicks.
Wade will start the clash against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden after missing seven consecutive games with a left hamstring strain. The Heat, who should be well rested having not played since Tuesday, went 3-4 without Wade in the lineup.
The veteran guard participated in Miami's shootaround ahead of Sunday's game and deemed himself ready to go.
"It’s good that I'm coming back but it doesn't guarantee us anything. We have to get back on track," Wade said about the 8-7 Heat.
"I did everything that I needed to do and I don’t have any restrictions. I've had this one circled on my calendar. I'm coming back to play. If I wanted to ease my way into it I would've come back a long time ago."
Wade appears eager to produce at a high level and help the Heat put together some sort of run. Miami is 5-7 since winning three straight games to begin the season.
The 32-year-old Wade is averaging 19.8 points, a team-high 6.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 32.4 minutes.
Mario Chalmers, who was starting at shooting guard during Wade's absence, will likely head back to the bench.