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ESPN Senior Writer- ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
- Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years
- Author of two books
Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters experienced a "panic attack" on the team's charter flight Thursday night after consuming a THC-infused edible, sources told ESPN.
Waiters received medical treatment after the plane landed in Los Angeles following the Heat's victory over the Phoenix Suns. Waiters was listed as out for Friday's game against the Lakers because of illness and did not attend the game.
Waiters missed the game in Phoenix because of a stomach ache and was seeking relief when he took an edible he was unfamiliar with, sources said. League rules prohibit the use of THC, one of the main compounds in cannabis.
The Heat declined to comment.
Waiters flew back to Miami with the Heat on Saturday.
The Andy Slater Show first reported that Waiters had a reaction to gummies on Friday.
The Heat suspended Waiters for their season opener last month for "conduct detrimental to the team" after he expressed frustration about his role on the team on social media. He has been on the active list for only two of the Heat's nine games thus far but has yet to dress and sit on the bench for a game.
He also missed time during the preseason for what the team labeled personal reasons.
Waiters faces losing out on a $1.2 million contract bonus if he misses four more games this season. Waiters is owed $24 million over this season and next as part of a deal he signed with the Heat in 2017.
He lost his spot in the Heat's rotation because two rookie guards -- Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn -- have had strong starts to the season.
