Hours before their Game 5 playoff matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks, the Miami Heat announced the team would be without All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Citing right knee inflammation, the Heat will now be without Butler and Kyle Lowry.
According to a league source, an MRI has not been conducted on Butler’s knee.
Miami Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra told 7News, Butler woke up Monday morning with irritation in his knee and believes he hurt it during Game 4. Then, Tuesday morning, Butler said his knee was not feeling any better. The decision to rest Butler was then made.
Lowry had been ruled out Monday as he battles a hamstring injury he sustained during Game 3. This will be the second game he has sat out.
Butler has led the Miami Heat throughout the Eastern Conference and has averaged 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals within the four games against the Atlanta Hawks. During Game 4 against the Hawks Sunday, he scored 36 points.
He has also become the lead player in the entire Eastern Conference in scoring.
Spoelstra said this is a day to day situation. Therefore if the Heat were to lose Game 4 and have Game 6 in Atlanta, Butler would then be available to play.
A win Tuesday night at FTX Arena would advance Miami to the second round of the playoffs.