National Basketball Association

Wade remains out, could return soon

Published Apr. 9, 2014 7:34 p.m. ET

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Miami guard Dwyane Wade will not play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, but coach Erik Spoelstra indicated the Heat's second-leading scorer is close to returning.

Spoelstra said before the game that the team's second-leading scorer is improving from a strained left hamstring that has caused him to miss the Heat's previous seven games. Wade hasn't played since March 26 at Indiana, when he scored 15 points in almost 32 minutes of action.

Wade worked out earlier Wednesday.

''We are encouraged by the progress he's been making,'' Spoelstra said. ''The running, the conditioning, the strength training, the court work. Getting close.

''We'll see what happens when we get back to Miami.''

Wade is one of four players that Spoelstra said are not available against Memphis. Besides Wade, who averages 19.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds, Miami will be without reserves Udonis Haslem, center Greg Oden and Chris Andersen.

Memphis will be without starting forward Tayshaun Prince, who sprained his left ankle in the Grizzlies' April 4 game against Denver.