The Miami Heat have been arguably the hottest team in the NBA playoffs thus far, with Jimmy Butler and company going from barely getting out of the play-in tournament to beating the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in five games.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough by this eighth-seeded Heat squad, Miami didn’t stop there as they were able to get the best of the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the second round.
Unfortunately for Miami, Butler suffered an ankle injury in the win over the Knicks on the road, which was an injury the team knew would linger and jeopardize his status for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Heat will be without their star forward for Tuesday’s game in New York.
Heat star Jimmy Butler is out for Game 2 vs. Knicks due to sprained ankle.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2023
Here are some fan reactions to the Heat being without Butler for Game 2 against the Knicks in New York:
That plus Scott Foster is the crew chief for tonight’s game
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧’ 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) May 2, 2023
all because of a josh hart flop
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) May 2, 2023
Ducking RJ 🐐
— Jake (@KingJakeVII) May 2, 2023
Thanks a lot Josh Hart
— . (@G0CubsG0_) May 2, 2023
Losing Butler, who has been arguably the best player in the playoffs thus far, is costly, to say the least, and could result in the Knicks tying the series at one game apiece before it shifts to Miami.
Although Butler will be stuck on the sidelines for Game 2 under the bright lights of MSG, the Heat have proven to be as resilient a team as there is in these playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Heat, if the team can’t temporarily fill the void left by Butler’s absence, it could change the series and the team’s chances of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
NEXT:
NBA Insider Gives Latest Injury Update On Jimmy Butler
