Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade will pass up playing in the NBA All-Star Game because of a strained right hamstring that continues to sideline him.
Commissioner Adam Sterling will name a replacement for the 11-time All-Star before Sunday’s game in Madison Square Garden in New York.
Wade has missed the Heat’s past six games and is not scheduled to play Wednesday night when Miami is at Cleveland in its final action before the All-Star break. Wade’s last appearance in a game was Jan. 27.
A three-time NBA champion, Wade had a string of 10 straight All-Star appearances and was named the MVP of the 2010 game. He said he will go to New York to participate in some of the weekend All-Star activities.
The Heat hope Wade will be ready to return when they face the New York Knicks on Feb. 20 in their first game after the All-Star break.
In 35 games this season for the Heat, Wade is averaging 24.2 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.