Dwyane Wade - File

HOUSTON (Reuters):

MIAMI HEAT All-Star guard Dwyane Wade is out of action indefinitely after suffering a shoulder injury during Wednesday night's loss to the Houston Rockets.

The game, won by the Rockets 112-102, marked an ominous return to the bench for Heat coach Pat Riley, who missed the team's last 22 games to address his ownknee and hip injuries.

He said the "other guys will have to step up" following Wade's injury, initially diagnosed as a separated shoulder.

"We will have to emphasise a whole different game because he means so much to us," Riley said. "Over the next couple of days we'll find out the extent of his injury and then we'll go to the drawing board on what we'll have to do."

Wade scored 27 points and had nine assists before being forced from the game. The twice All-Star is averaging nearly 29 points and eight assists a game for the defending NBA champions.

Miami have been hit with injuries to several key players this season, including 13-times All-Star centre Shaquille O'Neal, and sit in third place in the Southeast Division with a 26-27 record.

Riley said O'Neal, back-up centre Alonzo Mourning and forward Eddie Jones will "have to pick up the slack" in Wade's absence.

"We'll have to play as a team, period," he said.