Miami Heat’s star player, Jimmy Butler, was sidelined from their game against the Golden State Warriors due to illness, marking the 22nd time this season he’s been unable to play out of 72 games. Butler missed the morning shoot around due to a non-COVID illness and was initially listed as questionable before being ruled out shortly before the game.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed Butler’s absence, stating that he “doesn’t feel well at all today.” This absence adds to Miami’s challenges as they aim to secure a spot above the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. The Heat’s next game is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, giving Butler some time to recover.
Butler, the team’s top scorer with an average of 21.4 points per game, was sorely missed, especially since Tyler Herro, the second-leading scorer at 20.8 points per game, was also unavailable. Herro has been out for 16 consecutive games due to a knee injury followed by a foot problem.
Miami’s injury list doesn’t end there, as Kevin Love missed his 14th consecutive game recovering from a sore heel, and Duncan Robinson, the team’s top 3-point shooter, was out for the fourth straight game with a back issue.
On the Warriors’ side, forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was sidelined due to right knee soreness, but coach Steve Kerr expressed hope that he would be ready for their next game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
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