Dwyane Wade expects to start against Thunder

Dwyane Wade came off the bench for the Heat against the Spurs. (Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Heat superstar guard Dwyane Wade played the unusual role of sixth man Sunday against the Spurs, coming off the bench to score eight points in Miami's 113-101 win. On Tuesday, Wade told reporters he expects to return to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Thunder.

Wade's game as a non-starter came in his return to the court after missing four games with knee soreness. Coach Erik Spoelstra said coming off the bench for the first time since the 2007-08 season was Wade's idea.

Spoelstra didn't rule out a day-to-day sixth man role for Wade as he worked his way back. After practicing Tuesday, Wade said he's ready to drop any talk of him being the Heat's sixth man.

"We can quit that conversation right now," Wade said.

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Wade rested eight days after experiencing pain and soreness during the Heat's last road trip. He said he took the reserve role to work his way back into game shape without disrupting the team’s chemistry.