Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler will warm up with the intent to play Monday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, the team announced.
Butler played 19 minutes of the first half of Game 3 in Boston against the Celtics and did not return for the second half.
While it’s uncertain when the injury was actually picked up, many are pointing at an entanglement with Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.
Jimmy Butler missed the second half of Game 3 last night due to right knee inflammation.
For as much coverage as the Ja Morant knee injury got, that came after a much less intentional Jordan Poole grab, I'd argue this action by Payton Pritchard is strictly worse. pic.twitter.com/Gb0CHpYKCc
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) May 22, 2022
Butler had been dealing with knee issues throughout the playoffs, including a flare-up that forced him to miss Game 5 of Miami’s first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
The six-time All-Star only appeared in 57 games due to a litany of injury problems, ranging from his ankle, toe, shoulder, and tailbone.
Over the first 13 games of the postseason this year, the 32-year-old averaged 28.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and a league-high 2.2 steals.
He scored 41 points in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics and 29 in Miami’s Game 2 loss.
He was held to just eight in Game 3 before his early exit, though the Heat managed to pull out a win to take a 2-1 series lead.
Butler’s uncertainty heading into Game 4 is just one of numerous health issues the Heat is dealing with.
Tyler Herro won’t be available due to a groin injury while PJ Tucker, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Kyle Lowry are all questionable to play.
