Miami’s Wade will try comeback this season

MIAMI – Dwyane Wade’s dislocated left shoulder is so fragile there’s a risk of aggravating the injury when he sleeps.\nBut come April, Wade figures he might be up to the rigors of the NBA playoffs. The All-Star guard said Monday he has decided to delay surgery and rehabilitate his shoulder with the goal of returning to help the Miami Heat defend their league title.\n“It could have been easy for me just to shut it down,” Wade said at a news conference. “You don’t know if you’re going to be able to attack the same way and dive on the floor the same way. I’ll find out after therapy and rehab how my body responds to things.”\nWade’s decision was good news for the injury-plagued Heat, who entered Monday night’s game against Atlanta at 29-29. But even with rest and therapy, there’s no guarantee Wade can return this season.\n“The fact there’s a possibility would give us hope,” coach Pat Riley said. “He’s a pretty good player. He probably would be a pretty good player one-armed.”\nThe Heat went into Monday’s game 4-8 this season without Wade, but 3-2 since he was hurt Feb. 21 in a collision with Houston’s Shane Battier. At the time, he was the league’s third-leading scorer, averaging 28.8 points per game.\nWade underwent extensive tests and received a second opinion from specialist Dr. James Andrews before deciding he would try to return.\nWade disclosed Monday that his injury included a torn labrum. He was without a sling at the news conference but still wears one when he sleeps to keep the shoulder stable.\nThe decision to attempt a comeback this season was difficult, Wade said, even though Andrews and team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick supported the idea. Wade said he was told he can’t further damage his shoulder by playing, although another dislocation is possible.\nIf therapy goes well, Wade said, he might be able to return for the last couple of regular-season games before the playoffs start April 21, the two-month anniversary of his injury. Even if he does come back, he’s still expected to have surgery after the season, with the recovery time estimated at four to six months.