"A mile high, it was nothing but a continued series of lows for the Miami Heat on Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

And for Dwyane Wade, a frightening low.

The Heat not only lost for the 10th consecutive year in their annual trip to Denver, this time a 117-104 decision at the hands of the Nuggets, but closed their five-game trip with losses in the final three games.

Even more significant, Wade was forced out early in the fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle. X-rays taken after the game came back negative, with Wade saying he was relieved to learn it was not broken.

"It's never hurt this bad before," he said of the sprain, with came when he stepped on the foot of Denver forward Al Harrington. "It's not broken, so that's a positive."

Wade said he is hopeful of being able to play Tuesday at home against the San Antonio Spurs on his 30th birthday, but this appears to be more than a matter of days.

Wade not only was playing in his third game back since missing three with a bruised left foot, but teammate LeBron James, who scored 35 points Friday, revealed after the game that Wade suffered a strained calf in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Unfortunately, when the bug hits you, it hits you," Wade said. "I'll just continue to get therapy. Nothing I can do. Stuff like that happens in sports.""