Chicago Bulls News: Dwyane Wade hopeful to play on Saturday

Mar 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) signs autographs for fans after the game against the Charlotte Hornetsat Spectrum Center. The Bulls won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) signs autographs for fans after the game against the Charlotte Hornetsat Spectrum Center. The Bulls won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls veteran guard Dwyane Wade is optimistic that he will be making his return on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Chicago Bulls‘ veteran Dwyane Wade has the sound of a veteran that knows he will be returning to action when the team plays the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

"“I feel like I’m ready to get back out there and try to play,” Wade said after going through all of Friday’s practice.“[The training staff has] watched me practice, so they’ve seen things that I haven’t … I feel comfortable. I’m not in any pain. So we’ll see. Hopefully they allow me to get out there tomorrow and play a little bit. Try to get back in the flow a little bit. And also try to help our team continue to make this push that they’ve been doing an amazing job of trying to get to the playoffs.”"

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Wade suffered a fractured right elbow during the Bulls’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 15. The initial belief was that Wade would miss the rest of the regular season and could be available to return if the Bulls made the playoffs.

However, Wade acknowledged that he is ahead of schedule and would be comfortable playing on Saturday night if he is cleared by the Bulls’ training staff.

"“Obviously I’m ahead of schedule from the diagnosis of what happened,” Wade said. “But the final decision comes from my trainers and the coaches, that they’re comfortable with me playing. But I’ll continue to work. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow after another good day. I’m sure they’ll ask me when I wake up how I feel, but as a player, I definitely want to get back on the floor.”"

Wade is coming back at an opportune time for the Bulls. The Bulls and Indiana Pacers currently have the same record of 39-40 on the season. The Bulls, however, own the tiebreaker over the Pacers and currently sit in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Miami Heat are currently a half game back of the Bulls and Pacers.

With starting point guard Rajon Rondo currently sidelined with a wrist injury, Wade’s return is ideal for those hoping that the Bulls have a strong playoff push. Those hopes may be misguided considering the Bulls do not have enough in their arsenal to get past the top teams in the Eastern Conference such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

Next: Rajon Rondo dealing with sprained wrist injury

The Chicago Bulls, and potentially Dwyane Wade, will continue their playoff push on Saturday night when they play the Brooklyn Nets.