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May 1, 2023
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks took an unfortunate turn, literally, late in the fourth quarter. Heat star Jimmy Butler was driving to the basket when he collided with Josh Hart and rolled his right ankle. Despite Butlers injury, the Heat held on down the stretch for a 108-101 win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Hart was called for a foul on the play and Butler remained on the ground for a significant period of time while he was attended to by the Heats medical staff. After a timeout, Butler got to his feet and hobbled to the free throw line to shoot his free throws, making both to push the Heats lead up to five.
It seemed at first that Butler was just shooting his free throws because he needed to do so if he wanted to come back in the game at any point. But, remarkably, he continued to play despite hobbling around in clear pain.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra didnt have much of an update after the Game 1 win, saying the team might not know Butlers status for Tuesdays Game 2 until the day of the game.
No idea, he said. You just dont know with ankle sprains. I dont even know if well know more by (Monday). Well just have to see. Itll be a waiting game. But he did not want to come out of the game, so we left him in there.
He didnt do much down the stretch, but his presence helped the Heat close out the game and steal home court advantage.
Find a way to win, be out there, be a presence, Butler said after the game. I didnt do too much except for airball a 3, but Ill take the dub.
Butler added that his injury felt like a rolled ankle, so the big question is how effective he will be moving forward. He was spectacular in the Heats historic first-round upset over the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks, and he put up 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 8-of-16 from the field in this game.
Miami goes as he goes, and if hes unable to play up to his usual level, its going to be tough for the Heat the rest of the series, especially with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo also sidelined with long-term injuries.
Monday, May 1, 2023 at 7:37 am