The Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics without All-Star Jimmy Butler in the picture due to a foot injury. The 6-foot-7 forward will also miss Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks with this injury.
Butler has undergone tests, and the good news is it appears the injury isn't too serious. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra briefly spoke about Butler before the Bucks game:
The initial reads on all tests performed on Jimmy Butler's foot/ankle have not revealed any major issues, source says.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame today that Butler is in rest and recovery mode.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 6, 2020
While the Heat were able to pull off a surprise victory over the Celtics without their best player, they'll be hard-pressed to pull off another shorthanded upset against the mighty Bucks. Milwaukee has struggled a bit of late, but the league-best Bucks should be focused after losing two games in a row. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. will also be out for some revenge after losing twice to Miami earlier in the season, including once without Butler.
Butler isn't the only key member of the Heat out for Thursday's game. Point guard Goran Dragic is dealing with a sprained left ankle and is out against Milwaukee. Bam Adebayo will have to play an even more important role on Thursday.
The Heat are currently in a battle for seeding in the Eastern Conference. Miami enters Thursday's game with a 43-25 record, which is good for the No. 4 seed in the East. The Heat are two games behind the third-seeded Boston Celtics and a game ahead of the fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Butler is averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 34.2 minutes per game on the season. It's a bummer that he's missing the Bucks showdown, but the hope is he'll be back in the fold soon as Miami ramps up for the playoffs.
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