Dwyane Wade will play in ASG

ByMICHAEL WALLACE
February 14, 2014, 4:10 PM

— -- NEW ORLEANS -- Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Friday he has regained feeling in his left foot and will be in the starting lineup for Sunday's All-Star Game.

Wade sat out of Wednesday's game at Golden State while suffering from drop foot, a nerve condition he said left him without feeling in his lower leg and foot. But Wade gradually began to regain sensation in his foot late Wednesday, and he informed East coach Frank Vogel on Thursday that he would be available for the game.

Wade was voted a starter by fans and will join Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George in the lineup. Wade said he will again speak with Vogel to determine how to structure his minutes Sunday.

"I'll play," Wade said during Friday's All-Star media session in downtown New Orleans. "We'll just talk about how much. We had a small conversation and we're going to have more as the weekend goes on."

While Wade will be in tow for the East, the West will be without one of its top guards as Kobe Bryant continues his recovery from knee surgery. Houston's James Harden is expected to replace Bryant in the starting lineup.

Wade said his foot started to feel better once he arrived in New Orleans early Thursday morning. He also met with team medical officials in New Orleans to make sure he wouldn't be in danger of further damaging the foot by playing in the game.

The foot issue was the latest of a line of conditions that have knocked Wade out of action this season. He has missed 15 games, including the Heat's last two entering the All-Star break. Wade sat out of Tuesday's win in Phoenix with a migraine, and he's also been limited this season by knee soreness. A 10-time All-Star, Wade is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 36 games.

Wade had contemplated sitting out Sunday but reconsidered as his foot improved.

"I told [Vogel] that I was going to get out there and have a little fun," said Wade, who is likely to play the first five or so minutes of each half. "Then I'm going to sit down."