MIAMI -- The Miami Heat may be without backup center Michael Doleac for up to three weeks because of a strained right ankle.

Doleac's availability for the Heat's season-opener Oct. 31 against Chicago is unknown. He was injured Saturday night in Miami's 91-81 exhibition loss to Atlanta. X-rays were negative, Doleac said.

"I kept running on it and it kept hurting worse and hurting worse and it kept throbbing," Doleac said. "I thought I'd just tie my braces up tighter and go back in."

Doleac averaged 3.2 points in 31 games, including three starts, for the Heat last season.