Still dealing with hamstring injury, Dwyane Wade opts out of All-Star Game

Published Feb. 10, 2015 2:37 p.m. ET

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MIAMI -- Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade announced Tuesday he will not play in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game. Wade, an 11-time All-Star, had been selected by coaches as one of the reserves for the Eastern Conference team.

"I went through this week and took it day by day and I feel real good," said Wade, who has missed six straight games to rest an injured right hamstring. "I feel like I could play tomorrow, I could push it, but I don't know if that would be a smart thing to do. I think the smartest thing to do is to continue to use this All-Star break to strengthen myself a little more and be ready for the second-half push.

"I think I owe to the Heat fans to at least play in a Heat jersey first than go out there in the All-Star Game and play a couple of minutes."

Wade said he had communicated the decision to the NBA after talking with Heat president Pat Riley. When asked who he would like to see replace him, Wade said Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Knight deserved a spot on the team.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver tabbed Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks as Wade's replacement.

His absence will mark an end to a 10-year streak of All-Star appearances, the most in franchise history. Wade was the MVP of the game in 2010.

"I'm very eager to get back on the court," he said. "In the long haul, we've got a run to make after the All-Star break to solidify a playoff seed so we can get in the playoffs. It's not cocky with me saying this at all, but I don't think this team will be going anywhere if myself and Chris (Bosh) are not healthy for the second half of the season."

Head coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade will travel with the team to Cleveland but will not play. Miami's next game after the break will be Feb. 20 in New York.

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.