Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is dealing with a hip strain, but Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't sound too concerned about it.
Spoelstra told local reporters on Thursday there is no long-term concern with Whiteside's injury. The big man will miss his second consecutive game on Thursday when Miami takes on the Houston Rockets in Houston.
Spoelstra says no long-term concern with Whiteside injury.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 28, 2019
Hassan Whiteside has played in 53 games this season. He's averaging 12.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The 29-year-old is shooting an efficient 55.5 percent from the field and has recorded 30 double-doubles.
Whiteside is a polarizing player in South Beach. Some fans don't like the lack of effort he shows on a nightly basis and would rather see high-flyer Bam Adebayo get more playing time.
After beating the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday on a Dwyane Wade game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Heat improved to 27-33, putting them at the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Whiteside was the subject of trade rumors last offseason, and those talks will likely come up again this summer. There's no doubt he's talented, but Whiteside isn't worth $27 million, the amount of money he's owed next season.
Miami is trying to make a late postseason push this year and they will need all hands on deck to reach it.
So, even though he can be a negative at times, Whiteside will be needed by the Heat at some points.
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