heat fans the celts wanted. Now they have them. However, Miami will have to do so without Jimmy Butler, who will play the role of cheerleader when South Beach takes on Beantown.
The Heat were heartbroken twice before clinching the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. As if a heartbreaking loss to the 76ers wasn’t enough, the injury bug then took a significant toll on their heart and soul.
Without their best weapon, the Heat were still able to take care of business and crush the Bulls by 21 points in the final round of the Play-In Tournament. While the Heat seemingly always overcome every obstacle thrown their way, defeating the top-seeded Celtics might be too big a task.
How long will the Heat be without Butler’s services? Here’s the latest on his knee injury.
What is Jimmy Butler’s injury?
Butler comes out with a right medial collateral ligament sprainwhich the team announced before their Play-In game against the Bulls.
The injury occurred as a result of a fall in the first quarter against the 76ers when Butler attempted to blow the buzzer. A collision with Kelly Oubre Jr. left the Heat star in a lot of pain, which he struggled with for the rest of the night.
Jimmy Butler was left concussed after Kelly Oubre fell on his leg on this play.
He stayed in the game. pic.twitter.com/XI882gNt9N
-ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2024
Despite clearly being hobbled, Butler finished the contest – a 105-104 loss that forced Miami into a deciding game against Chicago.
“I fell, he landed and I guess my knee just wasn’t right.” Butler said after the game.. “I don’t know. It’s not a good feeling, I can tell you that.”
Heat fans and players were forced to hold their breath as Butler headed into an MRI, which certainly didn’t ease the team’s pain going forward.
How long will Jimmy Butler be out?
Butler missed Game 1 against the Celtics and his potential to return for the first-round series doesn’t look promising.
“It’s crazy to me that Jimmy Butler played three quarters with what I now hear was a severely sprained MCL. He won’t be back in this series.” Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday.
“This is a rehab that will last at least a month. It could be two months of rehab.”
The forward is no stranger to injuries during his NBA career, playing in just 60 games this season. Butler has only eclipsed the 70-game mark twice during his 14-year career, with the last time coming during the 2016-17 season with the Bulls.
Despite that reality, Butler has always been a mainstay in the starting lineup once the playoffs roll around, earning the nickname “Playoff Jimmy” for his Herculean efforts. He has averaged 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while playing 38.5 minutes per game in the playoffs for the Heat in four postseasons since he signed in South Beach.
SN NBA AWARDS: All-NBA Team | All Defense Team | Player of the year
Heat vs. TV schedule and channels Celtics
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/live broadcast |
| April, the 21st | Game 1 | 13:00 | ABC, Sling |
| April 24 | Game 2 | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| April 27 | Game 3 | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| April 29 | Game 4 | Determined | Determined |
| May 1 | 5* game | Determined | Determined |
| May 3 | Game 6* | Determined | Determined |
| May 5th | Game 7* | Determined | Determined |
*If necessary
Jimmy Butler Stats 2023-24
- 20.8 points per game
- 5.3 rebounds per game
- 5.0 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 1.7 turnovers per game
- 49.9 percent field goals
- 41.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.8 percent free throws
