CHICAGO _ Dwyane Wade's All-Star break began a day early. Unfortunately for the 12-time All-Star, it did so in unpleasant fashion.
Wade, who already was doubtful with the right wrist contusion that had sidelined him for two games, told Bulls officials he woke up with a stomach virus. So Wade, who didn't attend the morning shootaround or Thursday night's game with the Celtics, missed his third straight outing.
"It's frustrating, especially coming off that game in Sacramento where he just carried us," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He put up some good numbers against Houston. So he was in a good rhythm. To go down with the wrist injury and now the illness, the break is coming at a good time for him."
Wade has promotional events scheduled for All-Star weekend in New Orleans. It's unknown whether his illness will allow him to keep them.
"He has been great," Hoiberg said of Wade's overall impact. "You see a guy like Denzel (Valentine) coming out of the game, and the first guy to go talk to him is Dwyane. He still has a very positive impact even when he's not on the court."
