The Miami Heat are going to be down one of their best players on Tuesday night.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Jimmy Butler is going to be out for Game 5 due to right knee inflammation.
Heat say Jimmy Butler is out for tonight’s Game 5 due to right knee inflammation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2022
This isn’t good news as the Heat are looking to close out their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks on their home court. Miami won Game 4 on Sunday, 110-86 to go up 3-1 in the series.
Butler played 36 minutes in that game and finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He was the only player who had 20+ points in the win.
The NBA world is a bit scared of what Butler’s absence could mean for tonight’s game.
Well then. https://t.co/SwDgl842OE
— Drew (@atwilliamson15) April 26, 2022
Excuse me what…
That certainly changes things. Wouldn’t shock me if the hawks are in a dog fight still. Have played down to comp all year https://t.co/SAeSEANKkT
— Free from #20 (@1CE_TRAE) April 26, 2022
They are treating Atlanta like a midseason game against the Magic https://t.co/dfSExhn35I
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 26, 2022
if the hawks get this one tonight? it’s going seven, i don’t care. https://t.co/Xus8rwsPRU
— jahiye 🤩⚜️ (@jahiye1) April 26, 2022
No Lowry and no Butler? There’s zero reason now Atlanta shouldn’t win tonight https://t.co/OryfLnfoo2
— Cole Hurlbert (@TheColeHurlbert) April 26, 2022
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) April 26, 2022
Once again the amount of injuries to key players last 2 playoffs is ridiculous https://t.co/NB49beBUcx
— Ralph Mason (@Ralph_MasonJr) April 26, 2022
Whew and just like that the Hawks get a breath of life https://t.co/kuCzZVHHyY
— D.O.C (@darwinchvz320) April 26, 2022
Hawks in 7 https://t.co/IH8K3bUCqI
— Kalling Plays With Kailey (@kallingplays) April 26, 2022
The Heat will need P.J. Tucker, Bam Adebayo, and Max Strus to step it up tonight if they want to book their ticket to the second round. If Miami loses, the series will shift back to Atlanta for a Game 6 on Thursday.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.