Before the Heat’s game against the Celtics on Wednesday, Jimmy Butler missed Tuesday’s practice in Boston. However, a league source expressed optimism that Butler would return to the group in Boston at some point this week and perhaps even play in Friday’s game against the Celtics.
Butler, who has been preparing for his comeback in Miami, missed the previous six games due to right knee pain. On Wednesday, he will miss his seventh straight game.
According to Spoelstra, Butler won’t need to participate in team practice before making a comeback.
Butler hasn’t been out that long, according to Spoelstra. The most crucial factor is that he has been able to work. The fact that he is improving is the most critical factor. He’s feeling better and getting healthy. He exercises his physical preparation and rhythm. Just wait and watch how it develops.
Dewayne Dedmon, a backup center for the Heat, was also absent from practice on Tuesday because he was seeing a doctor to make sure his foot ailment wasn’t worse than it was initially thought to be. Dedmon is doubtful to compete on Wednesday against the Celtics since he has spent most of the season dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
In Spoelstra’s words, Dedmon “will perform his entire routine with the same mindset that he will play.” But he’ll have to control that throughout the entire season.
The Heat have ruled Victor Oladipo (left knee tendinosis) and Omer Yurtseven out for Wednesday’s game in Boston, in addition to Butler being out and Dedmon being questionable (left ankle surgery).
Listed Jamal Cain (non-COVID illness) and Max Strus (right shoulder impingement) as probable and listed Tyler Herro (left ankle sprain), Haywood Highsmith (right ankle sprain), Nikola Jovic (right foot plantar fasciitis), Duncan Robinson (left ankle sprain), and Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) as questionable.
Jovic said on Tuesday that he first noticed the symptoms of his plantar fasciitis before Friday’s victory against the Washington Wizards. He expressed optimism that he would be able to compete against the Celtics on Wednesday.
The Heat’s injury report lists 12 players. Adebayo, Udonis Haslem, Kyle Lowry, and Dru Smith are the only four players on Miami’s roster who aren’t listed as having any injuries.
Jaylen Brown (neck stiffness) was listed by the Celtics as questionable, along with Robert Williams (left knee surgery) and Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair).