On Tuesday, Dwyane Wade gave a strong indication that he plans to return from his dislocated left shoulder before the end of the season.

Wade's options are a vigorous rehabilitation program that could have him back for the final two weeks of the regular season, or surgery that would not have him back until next season. In either case, surgery would eventually be a necessity.

Asked about potential long-term risks by delaying the surgery, Wade sounded as if would move forward with a short-term solution.

"Of course you always worry about what-if, there's always the what-if," he said of potentially aggravating his injury. "But if that decision comes to play where I decide to come back, you can't think about the what-if, you've got to go ahead with it."

He is scheduled to receive a second opinion Thursday, but sounded Tuesday as if he had been well versed on the rehabilitation option.

"I mean, the reports are accurate: It's eventually surgery," he said. "But there's also an opportunity in there where I can opt for the rehab, and the rehab and the therapy, and get it strong and make a return by the end of the season.

"I'm feeling as good as I can feel," he said, with his left arm in a sling and the left sleeve of his suit coat flapping by his side. "My spirits are high, and that's the main thing. I know that everything in life happens for a reason, so I will find out what this reason is."