It appears five-time All-Star Jimmy Butler will be active and available to play in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Miami Heat talent tweaked his ankle ankle on a drive against Anthony Davis in the second quarter in Game 1 Wednesday night.
Jimmy Butler says he plans to play in Game 2 after spraining ankle in Game 1 – “As far as I am right now, I’m okay… As long as I suit up and play, I’m expected to produce and try to help win. If I suit up, which I will, we gotta win the game.”
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/8Y5Bh4RNy8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 1, 2020
Butler was available to return to action for the remainder of the game, though it didn't have much of an impact on the Heat's success. After losing their momentum late in the first quarter, the Heat weren't able to sustain enough defensive stops to get back in the game against a Lakers team that had found their rhythm after being down early.
The Heat's offense also revolves around 3-point shooting, which didn't work in their favor in Game 1. The Lakers looked like a team that'd studied the Heat's “live by the three, die by the three” mantra and evolved it. The Lakers shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc compared to the Heat's 31.4 percent.
Miami looked like a shell of their former selves even prior to Butler going down with his ankle injury. After becoming the cliche underdog story for much of the postseason, they seemed to have landed back on Earth against the Lakers. Their brightest spot of the night may have come from a player that made the most of his playing time with all the sudden injuries—Kendrick Nunn. Nunn ended his night with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field along with five rebounds.
The Heat will need Butler to be healthy and productive in Game 2, especially after receiving the unfortunate injury news of point guard Goran Dragic. Dragic suffered a plantar tear in Game 1 and is unlikely to make another appearance in the series.
Follow Us
Subscribe