Dragic’s thigh

MIAMI — It appears that Hassan Whiteside’s chances of returning before the Miami Heat hit the road for their longest trip of the season could come down to Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

Whiteside, who has been sidelined with a bone bruise on his left knee since the Heat’s Oct. 18 season-opening loss against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center, not only was ruled out in advance of Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics at AmericanAirlines Arena, but coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged that Monday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves also appears unlikely.

“He’s doing more. I’m encouraged by his activity level. He’s not ready for a practice yet,” Spoelstra said after Saturday morning’s shootaround. “So we’ll check that box when he gets to that. But in terms of pain, that’s gotten a lot better. And he’s been doing more.”

The Heat prefer a player go through a contact practice before returning from an extended injury absence.

“Yeah, it’ll likely be that,” Spoelstra said. “We’re going to be in constant communication as he rehabs and does treatment and starts to get back into the mix. And that’s why we’re just continuing to say he’s day by day, because that’s what he is. It’s tough to

Spoelstra said guard continues to make progress with the bruised right thigh sustained early in Monday’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

“I think it’s gotten better each day,” Spoelstra said. “He was able to practice [Friday]. I didn’t seem to notice anything.

“And I understand with Goran’s personality, he’s not going to tell us everything. So we watch with a close eye. I think it’s already starting to get better.” ...