Doctors who have been treating Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh are now concerned that he may have developed a blood clot in his lung, putting a cloud of doubt over the rest of his season.
The group of doctors are still waiting for test results before making a diagnosis.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized to reporters on Friday morning in New York that Bosh’s health issue isn’t life-threatening. “That’s the most important thing,” Spoelstra told reporters at the Heat’s morning shootaround.
The news of Bosh’s blood clot comes just three days after former Portland Trailblazers star Jerome Kersey passed suddenly away after a blood clot entered his left lung. He was 52.
Bosh’s agent Henry Thomas, in a text message sent to ESPN, stated that early results are inconclusive at this point and that they are still “sorting through everything.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday that Bosh is being treated at South Miami Hospital. Bosh will see more specialists today and Spoelstra said that he may have an update tonight or Saturday.
“It’s too early for an ultimate diagnosis,” Spoelstra said. “I know there is a lot of speculation, a lot of rumors right now.”
The medication required to treat the condition usually requires at least six months of limited physical activity, which would in turn cause Bosh to miss the remainder of the season.
Bosh was admitted to a Miami-area hospital to undergo tests on his lungs on Thursday night. He had reportedly experienced some abdominal discomfort during All-Star Weekend festivities but went ahead with his planned vacation after the weekend was over.
Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald provided details:
Bosh was “under the weather” on Wednesday when he reported to practice, according to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, and team trainers sent Bosh to see a doctor. He did not attend practice Thursday and was instead admitted to the hospital
Initial tests on Bosh, 30, were inconclusive, according to a team spokesman. An independent source confirmed for the Miami Herald that the initial tests were on Bosh’s lungs.
While in New York over the weekend for the All-Star Game, Bosh complained of pain in his side near his rib cage. He then traveled to Haiti during Carnival with his wife, Adrienne, and Dwyane Wade and Wade’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union.
Asked on Thursday after practice whether Bosh was sick in Haiti, Wade said, “I don’t know if he was sick. I’m not a doctor. I just know he wasn’t feeling good. He wasn’t coughing or throwing up, but he just wasn’t feeling good. So I don’t know when it happened. It could have happened in New York.”
Wade said he spoke to Bosh on Thursday but said that “no one had answers, he didn’t have answers. They’re exhausting all possibilities.”
LeBron James, Bosh’s former teammate in Miami addressed reporters on Friday regarding his friend’s condition.
“I texted Chris last night and, obviously, he probably doesn’t have his phone, so I’m just waiting to hear back from him,” he said. “I’m praying. My prayers is up. My hands is open and I’m wishing him the best. My fingers is crossed, for sure. Basketball is a small thing when it comes to health and people’s family. He’s so connected to me that I feel it, for sure. So every minute I’m checking to see if he’s OK.”
Several players, including James and Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, sent well-wishes to Bosh via Twitter on Friday.
Prayers up for my big dog @chrisbosh. Everything gonna b fine.
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) February 20, 2015
Man my heart real heavy right now thinking about @chrisbosh health! Especially after hearing about Kersey the other day. My prayers are….
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 20, 2015
out for u and your family my brother! Here for you throughout this if needed. #BandOfBrothers #BiggerthanBasketball
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 20, 2015
Adrienne Bosh provided an update of her own on Friday.
We appreciate all the Love and Support we have received from our Friends, Family and Fans.Just a quick update that @chrisbosh is doing ok❤️
— Adrienne Bosh (@MrsAdrienneBosh) February 20, 2015
Miami, currently 22-30 and in the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, plays at New York on Friday night. Bosh did not travel with the team.
Bosh, in his 12th NBA season, is currently averaging 21.1 points and 7.0 rebounds on the year.
