The Miami Heat insists there is no cause for alarm.

All-star center Alonzo Mourning was not with the team Thursday night when the Heat played the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. He remained in Miami with what the team called a case of food poisoning. Mourning also missed a game Tuesday in Miami against Seattle.

Under normal conditions, such a situation would not be viewed as any big deal. But since Mourning missed most of last season with a kidney disorder, his latest illness did cause some concern.

The team, however, says his current situation is not related to the kidney disorder and that he is expected to be back playing by the weekend.

"He was playing very well," coach Pat Riley said. "I think the food poisoning knocked him for a loop for a few days. But he was starting to inch his way back up."

On Tuesday morning, before the team's shoot-around workout, Mourning called the team trainer and told him he was having difficulty keeping food down. A Miami kidney specialist was consulted and Mourning was advised to stay home. Because of the kidney ailment, Mourning must be careful to keep himself hydrated. Because he was vomiting, doctors wanted to keep a close eye on him.