Luol Deng expects to return Wednesday vs. Hornets

After a six-game absence, Luol Deng might be ready to return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

The Miami Heat forward intends to play for the first time since Nov. 23 after injuring his left hamstring one game earlier against the Philadelphia 76ers, he told Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald.

The Heat (12-7) had initially deemed the 30-year-old small forward's injury as "slight," but after Deng felt discomfort Nov. 23 against the Knicks, Miami decided to give him a rest. Gerald Green, Tyler Johnson, and Justise Winslow have received increased minutes in his absence.

The Heat have lost two of their last five games without Deng.