MIAMI -- Heat starting forward Luol Deng is considered questionable heading into the team's five-game road trip after he sustained a right hand injury during Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Deng was hurt when he landed on his right hand as he fell to the court while attempting to draw a charge in the second quarter. Deng did not play in the second half of the 112-102 loss, and an X-ray taken after the game was negative.
The injury was diagnosed as a bone bruise to the area near Deng's right thumb and index finger, and the 11-year veteran will be re-evaluated again Thursday to determine if further tests are necessary.
"We're going to just wait and see," said Deng, who finished with five points and three rebounds in just under 17 minutes. "We're going to monitor it the next couple of days. I tried to (keep playing). I came back in and I just had trouble passing and shooting the ball, so we made the decision to sit out."
Deng's status is uncertain for at least the initial games of a trip that starts Friday against Milwaukee and continues with games against Memphis, Phoenix, Denver and Utah.
The setback is the latest in a number of recent struggles for the Heat (9-9), who were already coping with the absences of starting point guard Norris Cole (illness) and reserve center Chris Andersen (ankle).
The Heat's erratic start is largely attributed to struggles establishing continuity. Injuries have contributed to Miami using six different starting lineups through 18 games. But the team entered Wednesday encouraged because it was the first time this season the Heat started both Deng and Josh McRoberts, their top two free-agent additions in the wake of LeBron James' departure.
"It's the NBA -- everybody has to deal with it," said guard Dwyane Wade, who recently returned to action after missing seven games with a hamstring injury. "That's why we've got 15 guys on the roster. We just have to find a way to win ballgames no matter who's out there."
Deng missed one game last month with a sprained right wrist and is averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds this season.