The Miami Heat took care of business in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics 118-107. They were able to do that without starting point guard Kyle Lowry. Well, apparently, they are going to need to do that again. Lowry has been ruled out for Game 2 in Miami Thursday night, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes.

Lowry first injured his hamstring in the opening round against the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat easily took care of business against Atlanta. Lowry tried to give it a go in Game 3 and Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round. However, he did not move around well on the court and has not played since.

It’s possible the Heat brought him back too soon and he re-aggravated the injury. It was an interesting decision to bring him back when the Heat did, seeing as they were leading the series 2-0. The only games Miami lost to Philadelphia were the two games Lowry played in.

In his absence, Heat guards Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have got more run and have made the most of it. Both Vincent and Strus had a big impact in Game 1 vs. the Celtics, scoring 17 and 11 points respectively. Both of them knocked down three shots from beyond the arc for Miami.

But Game 1 was all about Jimmy Butler. He dropped 41 points and outscored Boston by himself in the third quarter, 17-14.

The Celtics are dealing with injuries themselves. NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, missed Game 1 with a foot injury. Resurgent center Al Horford was also placed in health and safety protocols and missed the game. It sounds as though Horford will not be active for Game 2, but Smart is a different story.