The Miami Heat came through with an impressive 111-101 game two win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday in game two of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series. However, it should be noted they accomplished this magnificent feat without their star player, power forward Jimmy Butler of Houston, Texas.
Butler reportedly sprained his medial collateral ligament on Wednesday in the 105-104 Heat loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 7-8 Eastern Conference play-in game according to Madison Williams of Sports Illustrated. He then did not play for Miami in their 112-91 play-in win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday or their 114-94 first game loss to the Celtics on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Butler played through the pain after being injured against the 76ers, and finished the game as a result. He scored 19 points. Butler made five of 18 field goals, seven of eight free throws, two of six three-pointers, five assists, five steals and four rebounds.
It should be noted that Butler and Herro were the co-leaders in scoring for the Heat this season. They had 20.8 points per game. While Herro has had a solid year, he has not had the career impact on the Heat as Butler has had. Butler is a two-time All-Star with Miami (2020 and 2022), has averaged 21.3 points per game in 291 games over the last five seasons, led the NBA in steals per game in 2020-21 with 2.1, and was Miami’s top player the two seasons that the Heat reached the 2020 and 2023 NBA Finals.
Game three of the series is now in Miami on Saturday. Boston had the second best road record in the NBA this season. They were at 27 wins and 14 losses. Only the New Orleans Pelicans at 28 wins and 14 losses were better.
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