Much like the rest of the Miami Heat, head coach Erik Spoelstra is hoping the injury Jimmy Butler sustained in Game 4 versus the Indiana Pacers is not as serious as it seems. The 30-year-old swingman only played 23 minutes on Monday after dealing with a left shoulder strain.
#INDvsMIA: Jimmy Butler (left shoulder strain) is questionable to return to tonight's game vs the Pacers.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 24, 2020
Coach Spo revealed that the 5-time All-Star's status remains uncertain since he has yet to get an MRI. But judging by Spoelstra's relaxed demeanor, it seems Butler is doing well at the moment, despite the injury.
Spoelstra says as of now Butler’s shoulder injury is a “soft tissue” issue. Butler hasn’t had an MRI and one hasn’t been scheduled yet —only if he continues to have more discomfort will it become a possibility. Heat are hoping rest does the trick for Butler over the next few days
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) August 25, 2020
Luckily for the Heat, they will have some well-deserved days-off after sweeping the Pacers in Game 4, 99-87. Butler pitched in six points (2-of-5 FG), three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Jimmy Buckets left the game in the first half, but still tried to give it a go and started the third quarter for the Heat.
The Heat will now await the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks versus Orlando Magic first-round series. The Bucks are currently up 3-1.
The Miami-Indiana series, meanwhile, was one of the most anticipated match-ups in the 2020 playoffs due to the animosity between Butler and Pacers forward TJ Warren. Fans and pundits alike were curious how the defensive specialist Butler will deal with the red-hot “bubble” Warren. But the series didn't live up to the hype, as the 5th-seeded Pacers couldn't even muster one win against the 4th-seeded Heat.
Miami's mastery over Indiana had a lot to do with Butler's terrific two-way play, as he averaged 24.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.0 steals in the first three games prior to Monday's close-out game.
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