National Basketball Association

Heat's Chris Bosh fails physical in attempt at comeback

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:04 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

A little less than a month ago, Chris Bosh had a message for the NBA: "I'm back." On Friday, that optimism ran into the reality of the situation.

According to the Associated Press, Bosh failed his physical with the Miami Heat and will not be cleared to join the team at training camp, which begins on Sept. 27.

The Miami Herald reports that Bosh encountered "a complication" during medical testing:

The Heat issued the following statement:

Bosh last played for the Heat in February before being sidelined for the rest of the year with a blood clot in his leg. In 2015, Bosh was initially diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs, which resulted in the Heat forward missing the remainder of the 2014-15 season.

Despite no public indications from the team that Bosh would play this season, the Herald reports that the Heat in fact expected to clear the 11-time All-Star to begin his comeback. Bosh signed a five-year, $118 million deal in 2014. If he is sidelined for one year, the Heat can apply for an independent doctor to review Bosh's situation. If that doctor determines that Bosh is unable to return, his salary would come off the books for Miami. He would still receive the money he is owed.