MIAMI—
When it comes to the London Olympics, the Miami Heat’s presence will be limited to a Big Two.
Agent Henry Thomas confirmed Thursday to the Sun Sentinel that Heat guard Dwyane Wade will require surgery on his troublesome left knee, taking himself out of the running for a chance to repeat his gold-medal performance in the 2008 Beijing Games.
Wade had his left knee drained the day of the Heat’s Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, eventually turning to teammate LeBron James and asking him to lead the Heat through the balance of the playoffs.
Following the Heat’s championship-clinching victory last week over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wade, who did not miss time during the postseason due to the knee pain, said the surgery was likely.
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His absence further reduces an Olympic pool that already has lost Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard due to injury.
James and Heat power forward Chris Bosh are still scheduled to participate in the London Games, although Bosh said he would need to reassess his recovery from the lower-abdominal strain he suffered during the first game of that playoff series against the Pacers.
The U.S. national team holds the first of its three pre-Olympic training camps starting July 5 in Las Vegas.
According to the Associated Press report, Wade informed USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski of his decision Thursday.
USA Basketball had been braced for such an announcement, with the pool of potential team members recently increased, with Thunder guard James Harden among those who could replace Wade on the Olympic team.
iwinderman@tribune.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat
