Why isn’t Jimmy Butler playing against the Celtics in game 2 today?

The Miami Heat qualified for the 2024 NBA Playoffs as No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, leaving them with the daunting task of facing the Celtics, 64-18 in the regular season, in the first round. Their task was made even more difficult in Game 1, which Boston convincingly won 114-94, by the absences of key players Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, who will again be on the sidelines for Game 2.

How long will Butler be out?

Butler was hugely important in the Heat’s unexpected run to the NBA Finals last year, but will be sidelined for several weeks due to an MCL injury sustained in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Eastern Conference Play-In matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on 18 April.

Butler sustained the injury during the first quarter of Miami’s closely contested 105-104 loss but remarkably remained in the game and concluded with an impressive stat line of 19 points, five assists, and five steals, albeit shooting 5-for-18 from the field.

How did the Heat star get injured?

Sixers shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. inadvertently landed on Butler after a pump fake near the basket. The immediate reaction from teammates and coaches indicated the seriousness of the situation and the 34-year-old was visibly seen limping to the locker room at the conclusion of the quarter, making his return to the court all the more surprising.

The severity of Butler’s injury is a major cause for concern for the Heat, particularly considering his average of 20.8 points per Game during the regular season.

The most recent reports suggest the small forward will miss the entire first-round series against Boston, which will run through to Sunday 5 May if it goes to Game 7.

Injury reports on Wednesday have confirmed that shooting guards Rozier and Josh Richardson will also sit out Game 2 against the Celtics, making Miami’s already difficult task considerably harder.