Dwayne Wade close to return, may play Thursday in Beijing

Dwayne Wade is hopeful about returning for the Heat's game against the Clippers on Thursday after sitting out the preseason opener on Sunday. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After sitting out the preseason opener against the Hawks on Sunday, Dwayne Wade is hopeful about playing in Thursday's exhibition against the Clippers in Beijing, according to a report from the Sun Sentinel.

"If I continue to respond the way it is, and my trainers and doctors give me a go-ahead to play, I would love to get out there and at least play at least some minutes, try to get my conditioning," said Wade. "The biggest thing is to get my legs back and my conditioning back. Hopefully I can be at the start of that journey soon."

Wade underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra would not commit one way or another to Wade's return to the lineup on Thursday.

 "We want to be patient," Spoelstra said, "We want to be smart, but we want to be aggressive, as well. So we start working a little more each day. But we're still at a point where we're reading it day to day."