After shootarounds and practices, you can find James Johnson sweating on the court.
Johnson, who had surgery to repair a sports hernia in May, is working hard to be available for the Miami Heat’s Oct. 17 regular-season opener against the Orlando Magic. That’s the goal, but he still hasn’t ruled out playing in at least one preseason game this week.
“I’m just going day-by-day trying to get it stronger,” said Johnson, who has missed the first three preseason games and has already been ruled out for Monday’s home contest against the Magic. “When [athletic trainer Jay Sabol] and the rest of the training staff says I can play, then I’m going to give it a try.