Dwyane Wade could miss NBA All-Star game

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Dwyane Wade was a late scratch from the Miami Heat’s starting lineup against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night because of nerve irritation in his left foot, leaving his status for the All-Star game in doubt.

Wade sat out Tuesday night’s victory at Phoenix with a migraine headache and appeared to be in good spirits before Miami’s 111-110 win over the Warriors, chatting with reporters for nearly 10 minutes in the locker room. He was listed at his usual shooting guard spot and announced during pregame introductions, but seconds before tipoff the Heat said he would not play.

Wade said he was traveling to New Orleans for Sunday’s game but isn’t sure if he’ll play.

”I’m not optimistic. I’m not pessimistic. I just want to get better,” said Wade, a 10-time All-Star who was elected as a starter for the Eastern Conference this season.

Wade said he started to warm-up when his foot began giving him problems and he went to the locker room. He said trainers officially diagnosed him with ”foot drop,” which is a weakness or paralysis of the muscles that lift the foot.

”I started feeling a little something in my foot, getting a little numbness,” Wade said. ”But you don’t think nothing of it. As time went on it started going up my leg a little bit, so the nerve going up my leg kind of shut down. Weirdest thing I’ve ever (felt). When I was out there and moved around and warmed up, I felt I couldn’t feel my foot. So I didn’t want to do anything.”

Toney Douglas, who was traded from the Warriors to the Heat earlier this season, made his second straight start for Miami. It was the final game before the All-Star break for both teams. Associated Press

If Lebron James does leave the Heat it will be because of Wade’s health, and the inability of the team to replace Wade’s hall of fame talent. Wade has missed nearly a third of the Heat’s games so far which is not an ideal circumstance for James as he tries to win more championships. 

The other thread to this story would be the disappointment by the league office which wouldn’t have enough time to name a replacement All-Star if Wade misses the game on Sunday.

Wade’s health issues are not going away. This story is going to change the entire landscape of the league very soon. – AL