The Miami Heat are navigating another game without Jimmy Butler as they face the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Cup contest.
Butler’s absence, now stretching to a third consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain, has already impacted Miami’s performance, including a recent loss to the Detroit Pistons that was partially attributed to Erik Spoelstra’s timeout miscue.
Now, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon as far as the veteran forward is concerned.
“Jimmy Butler getting some work in before tonight’s game. Butler will miss his third straight game today, but a return Sunday vs. Pacers is a possibility,” Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald wrote on X.
Jimmy Butler getting some work in before tonight’s game. Butler will miss his third straight game today, but a return Sunday vs. Pacers is a possibility. pic.twitter.com/z0fetw27FG
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) November 15, 2024
The injury occurred during a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 8, limiting Butler to just seven minutes of play.
His brief appearance yielded only two points, one rebound and two assists before his exit.
This season, Butler’s numbers reflect a solid if unspectacular start with averages of 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, while maintaining a respectable 47.8 percent shooting clip.
The timing of the setback was particularly frustrating, especially given Heat president Pat Riley’s previous concerns about player availability that factored into contract extension discussions.
An 0-1 record in NBA Cup group play added another layer of importance to the matchup against Indiana.
The challenge now lies in the Heat maintaining their competitive edge until their star returns, a familiar scenario for a team that’s grown accustomed to adapting on the fly.
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