The Heat hope that with perhaps more than a week before the conference finals, the Heat hope Shaq will be able to don something sportier. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

RALEIGH, North Carolina, (Reuters)  --  The Miami Heat are becoming increasingly concerned about the fitness of their all-star center Shaquille O'Neal who has a thigh injury.

"It did seem to get worse and I don't understand that," coach Stan Van Gundy said after the Heat swept the Washington Wizards in four games in their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series on Saturday.

"Hopefully, the rest of the treatment will get him better."

O'Neal sat out the final two games against the Wizards. He bruised his right thigh in April but returned for six playoff games before being sidelined again. He also had a stomach virus that kept him out for several games.

"I asked how he felt before the game (Saturday), and he said, 'Depressed'," Van Gundy said. "We'll just have to see where he is whenever the next round starts."

It could be the weekend before the Heat learn who their opponents will be in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers are tied at two games apiece in the other semifinal. They play again on Tuesday.

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