Don’t be surprised if there is nothing official until half an hour before game time Saturday, when Erik Spoelstra is forced to submit his starting lineup.
However, do expect Jimmy Butler to return in Game 3 against the Knicks.
He missed Game 2 after an ankle injury suffered in Game 1, but the extra day off between games appears to have been enough to get the Heat star back on the court. Spoelstra was expectedly coy about a return when asked Friday.
Coach Spo’s latest update on Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury pic.twitter.com/1IkB1STFhv
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 5, 2023
Here’s Spoelstra’s full quote:
“Jimmy, he’s working. We’ll see. I’ll probably have an update for you at 2:15 [Saturday pregame interview time]. But don’t hold me to that. We know what his intentions are.”
Sources told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel that Butler intends to play.
Spoelstra says Jimmy Butler worked today. Says update at about 2:15 Saturday. “But we know what his intentions are.” According to an NBA source, Butler is planning to play.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 5, 2023
The buzz was that Butler was near ready to play in Game 2, but with the Heat having taken Game 1 and the extended break before 3, they decided to give him essentially a week off to get his ankle right.
Jimmy Butler has been the MVP of the playoffs, averaging 35.5 points per game on 58.5% shooing (including 42.9% from 3), plus grabbing 6.8 rebounds a night while playing elite defense on the opponent’s best players.
If Miami is going to win a couple of games at home this weekend and take command of this series, they are going to need that Butler, one not slowed by his ankle.
