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The Miami Heat's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals is defined by the injuries to Joel Embiid. The Sixers star will miss at least the first two games of their next series in the 2022 NBA playoffs with an orbital fracture and a mild concussion. The Heat, though, will also be without one of their key players to start the series: Kyle Lowry.
The team announced that Lowry will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are among six players listed as questionable. Miami's long injury report is a bit worrisome but they still have the upper hand against the Sixers.
#PHIvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Lowry (hamstring) has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Game 1 vs the Sixers.
Morris (non Covid illness), Martin (ankle), Tucker (calf), Strus (hamstring), Butler (knee) and Herro (respiratory illness) are all listed as questionable.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 1, 2022
Lowry suffered the injury in the first round against the Atlant Hawks. He missed the final two games of the series despite working tirelessly to get himself right. The 36-year-old was previously considered to be day-to-day but will now miss his third consecutive game in the NBA playoffs.
The Heat should still be able to take down the Sixers without Lowry as long as Butler and Herro can play. Philadelphia relies heavily on Embiid for his scoring and defensive presence. Butler, Herro and Bam Adebayo will have the chance to go up by two games at home before Embiid potentially returns.
Miami has continually embraced a next-man-up mentality and this time around, it should be no different. Victor Oladipo shined in Lowry's absence in the decisive Game 5 against the Hawks. He should be able to do the same against the Sixers.
