Final night time, the Miami Warmth had been on the highway to face the Philadelphia 76ers in a play-in recreation. Philly was the #7 seed and Miami was the #8 seed. The winner of the sport would earn the official #7 seed and a matchup vs. the Bucks within the first spherical. It was a battle from tipoff and the sport went backwards and forwards within the first quarter.Â
Miami’s Jimmy Butler had the ball within the remaining seconds of the primary quarter. It was a quick break and he was proper beneath the rim. Butler hit a stable pump faux on the 76ers’ Kelly Oubre. Nonetheless, Oubre jumped within the air and made contact with Jimmy Butler’s leg. Sadly, Butler appeared to undergo an damage on the play however he did end the sport. NBA insider Shams Charania reported right this moment that Butler goes to overlook a number of weeks with an MCL damage. Not supreme for the Warmth who’re making an attempt to spark a run this postseason.
Miami will miss the manufacturing of Jimmy Butler on Friday vs. the Bulls
The expectation is Miami’s Jimmy Butler will probably be out a number of weeks, sources mentioned. Butler remarkably performed the ultimate three quarters vs. 76ers final night time with what’s now feared to be an MCL damage. https://t.co/dEDMAuuXuN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2024
Dropping within the playoffs could also be an excessive amount of for the Miami Warmth to beat at this level within the season. In his profession, Butler is a killer within the postseason and thrives in clutch moments. He averages (21.3) factors, (6.2) rebounds, (4.6) assists, and (1.7) steals in 119 playoff video games. Final season, Butler and the Warmth made the playoffs because the #8 seed and made a miraculous run to the NBA Finals. With out Butler, the Warmth may not have sufficient manufacturing to make one other run.
Miami has to play the Chicago Bulls tomorrow night time for the official #8 seed within the Jap Convention. The winner of that recreation will face the crew with the very best report within the league throughout the 2023-24 common season. That may be Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics who completed 64-18. They’re the heavy-betting favorites to win the NBA Finals this season. Even when Miami beat the Bulls tomorrow, they’d have a frightening seven-game collection forward with out the companies of Jimmy Butler. Miami is a tricky crew within the postseason however are they ok to win 4 video games vs. the Celtics with out Butler?
Jimmy Butler final night time speaking concerning the damage: pic.twitter.com/o4V4uN1Cgj
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) April 18, 2024
Even with an MCL damage, Butler was not going to go away the sport. On the time, he didn’t know the way critical his damage was. Nonetheless, adrenaline pushed him by means of the ultimate three quarters. Butler completed with 19 factors, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Miami misplaced 105-104 and let Philadelphia slip again into the sport and acquire momentum. Now, the Warmth will host the Bulls this Friday within the remaining play-in recreation for the Jap Convention and a spot within the 2024 postseason. Will Miami be capable of beat Chicago with out Jimmy Butler’s top-level postseason manufacturing?
