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The Miami Heat lost in more ways than one in Game 2. Aside from getting blown out by the Boston Celtics, the team lost one of their most important players. PJ Tucker abruptly left the game after suffering an injury. Team doctors initially ruled it as a āknee contusionā, and kept the forward out of the game for good.
After the game, it was reported that the Heat have scheduled an MRI for PJ Tucker in the morning. This is obviously worrying news, as fans aren't sure whether the veteran forward will be available for the next few games. (via Chris Haynes)
Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker will undergo an MRI on his left knee tomorrow morning, league sources tell @YahooSports.
ā Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2022
Tucker abruptly left the Heat-Celtics Game 2 match in the third quarter to head to the locker room. According to Haynes, the forward sustained the injury in the first quarter, but tried to play through the pain. Shortly after heading to the locker room, the team announced that he was officially ruled out due to a āknee contusionā.
Sources: P.J. Tucker sustained the injury early in the first quarter and attempted to play through it. With a short turnaround in this series and the matchup problems Boston presents, an absent Tucker would be devastating for Miami.
ā Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2022
Coach Erik Spoelstra also commented on the matter after the game, saying that Tucker seemed good to go.
Spoelstra says thereās no update on P.J. Tucker (knee contusion) right now. Spoelstra doesnāt sound too concerned. āAsk him, heās good to go.ā
ā Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 20, 2022
This obviously will be a huge blow for the Heat if Tucker ends up missing significant time. The NBA champion has been the team's best defender on Jayson Tatum, as well as an important part of their defensive schemes. With their defense struggling to stop the surging Boston squad, this injury could spell trouble for this squad.
The good news for the Heat is that they'll have a few answers to replace Butler's production for them. Kyle Lowry's imminent return looms large. Duncan Robinson could also see more minutes with Tucker missing. Regardless, this will be an uphill battle for Miami. Can they weather this storm?
