Injuries to key players have not impeded the Miami Heat this season. They are 25-15, good enough for the third seed in the Eastern Conference, despite several of their best players missing time. Jimmy Butler has helped lead the team back into the upper echelon of the conference but has been unavailable to play as of late. Heat fans that are asking “Is Jimmy Butler playing vs. Hawks?” will not like the answer.

Is Jimmy Butler playing vs. Hawks

Butler has been Miami's heart, soul and best player since joining the team in 2019. Although he has been playing stellar basketball this season, he has played in just over half of Miami's games this season. At the moment, Butler is nursing an injured ankle tweaking it against the Golden State Warriors on January 3rd and remaining out ever since.

Miami announced that Butler has been ruled out of its game tonight against Atlanta. Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald added that Butler did not travel with the team.

In 23 games this season, Butler is averaging 23.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting a career-high 50 percent from the field. His shrewd scoring and stout defense make him a true two-way threat. With him being banged up and young star Bam Adebayo out with a more long-term thumb injury, Miami's strength as a team was questioned. They haven't let the adversity of playing without their stars slow them down.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray appearing at an airport with bags packed and a plane ticket in hand

Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz ·

Heat fans accuse Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla of calling a Code Red against heat

Steve Silverman ·

NBA PLayoffs Panic Meter with Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, and Paolo Banchero

Brett Siegel ·

The Heat have had to rely on offseason acquisition Kyle Lowry and young budding star Tyler Herro, and the duo has delivered. Even at age 35, Lowry is the quintessential floor general, averaging 13.7 points and 8.4 assists. Herro brings the offensive firepower off the bench, averaging 20.6 points and 3.9 assists per game.

While Butler remains sidelined, Lowry, Herro and the squad will have to continue to step up.