Wade hurt in loss NBA to Rockets

(AFP)
Updated: 2007-02-23 14:52

The early departure of injured superstar Dwyane Wade marred the anticipated return of coach Pat Riley to the Miami Heat sidelines on Wednesday. The Houston Rockets handed the Heat a 112-102 National Basketball Association defeat, but the potentially devastating loss was the apparently serious left shoulder injury that saw Wade taken from courtside in a wheelchair.

Wade banged into Shane Battier on a reach in and immediately grimaced in pain and left the game.

After he was wheeled from the bench, he was taken to hospital for further tests, and after the game Riley said Wade wouldn't accompany the Heat to their next game in Dallas.

Wade had 27 points before leaving the game with 9:17 to play.

The injury to the reigning NBA finals most valuable player overshadowed Riley's return to the sidelines after taking a 22-game leave of absence to undergo operations on his knee and hip.

Houston's Tracy McGrady had 32 points and put the game out of reach with back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter.

The second capped a 9-2 run and gave Houston a 103-88 lead with 6:11 to play.

Rafer Alston scored 20 points and Juwan Howard added 15 for the Rockets, who swept the season series with the Heat.