The Miami Heat weren’t able to come away with a win in Game 2 of their NBA Playoff series against the Knicks in New York. Jimmy Butler’s absence obviously played a role in the hard-fought 111-105 loss.
Butler suffered a sprained right ankle late in Miami’s Game 1 win over New York and wasn’t able to go.
With several days off before Saturday’s Game 3 in South Beach, there’s optimism that Butler will be able to return to action.
“His body will let you know, me know, him know, the team know. There’s no way to predict it. But I’m glad we have a couple extra days,” Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on Jimmy Butler’s status.
With Butler out of action Tuesday evening, Caleb Martin (22 points) and Gabe Vincent (21 points) paced the Miami Heat. Remember, third-leading scorer Tyler Herro is also out for the remainder of the playoffs due to injury.
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Extra days off should help Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
This likely played a role in Miami opting to sit Butler in Game 2 despite the star wing wanting to suit up. The Heat have three days off before hosting New York in Game 3 of the series. Winning the opener and taking away home-court advantage from the Knicks also likely played a role in Miami’s thought process.
What we do know is that Butler has been the single-best player thus far in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
- Jimmy Butler stats (2023 NBA Playoffs): 35.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.7 APG, 59% shooting
In addition to leading the Association in scoring during the NBA Playoffs, Butler has come up clutch on a never-ending loop. That included dropping 56 points in a Game 4 win over the Bucks.
Butler then went into Milwaukee and scored 42 points in Miami’s series-clinching Game 5 win. Said performance was highlighted by a game-tying bucket in the final seconds of regulation.
The Heat will not be able to come out on top in this series if Butler isn’t near 100% moving forward. Giving him a week off in between suffering the ankle injury last Saturday and Game 3 could be huge for the team moving forward.