Dwyane Wade bruises knee, says injury 'could have been worse'

CLEVELAND -- Dwayne Wade nearly did the splits. For a moment, it appeared Miami's season was torn apart.

Wade bruised his left knee after he awkwardly collapsed in the first half Thursday night in a 114-88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The injury initially looked serious, but the 33-year-old believes he'll play again this season.

"I hit the inside of my knee on the court," Wade said. "That's all I feel right now. I don't know what I'm going to wake up with, but right now I just feel it on the inside of my knee."

Wade was driving on the right side of the lane midway through the second quarter when his right knee buckled and he dropped to the floor. As play continued at the other end, Wade stayed on his back and grabbed his left knee. He got up slowly, walked gingerly to the bench as concerned teammates looked on and then favored his left leg as he went to the locker room.

Wade was examined by Miami's medical personnel who concluded he only has a bruise.

"It could have been worse," Wade said. "Everybody thought it was a groin. The only thing I feel is where my left knee banged on the floor. That's the sorest right now."

Wade, who has been dealing with knee issues for several seasons, had fluid drained from that knee on Saturday. He had also been dealing with a stomach bug and was a game-time decision against Cleveland.

Wade said he'll undergo treatment on Friday and does not know if he'll be able to play Saturday in Detroit. The Heat are tied with Boston for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The four-time defending conference champions can't afford to be without their leading scorer, co-captain and undisputed leader for the push.

Wade feared the injury was far worse.

"When you go down like that, I couldn't bust into a split, I'm not that flexible," Wade said, cracking a smile. "I knew I was in trouble on my way down. It's unfortunate. I was a little concerned."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was afraid Wade's injury was severe.

"It looked like it was a lot worse,'' he said. "It looked like he was doing the splits.''

Injuries are nothing new for the Heat, who lost All-Star forward Chris Bosh for the season with blood clots.

"Story of the season," Wade said, "and it continues."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.