The Miami Heat find themselves as significant underdogs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Celtics, and a lengthy list of injuries is a major contributing factor. Ahead of Game 1 on Sunday in Boston, the team has issued an injury report that includes several key players.
Jimmy Butler (knee), Terry Rozier (neck), and Josh Richardson (shoulder) have all been ruled out for the contest, while Duncan Robinson (back) remains questionable.
Richardson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this spring, and Butler is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks after sustaining a MCL injury in Wednesday night’s loss to the 76ers.
Rozier’s status is one to monitor closely. The former Boston guard has missed the Heat’s last six games due to neck spasms and is considered week-to-week, according to reports. While Rozier has been ruled out for the first two games of the postseason, he will travel with the team to Boston to continue his rehabilitation. Butler, however, will not accompany the team, as confirmed by Heat PR.
Robinson, who has been dealing with a back injury, made a return to the court on Friday night in Miami’s victory over the Bulls. He contributed eight points in 12 minutes off the bench, providing a boost to the team’s shooting capabilities. His presence is particularly significant given Miami’s current lack of key scorers in Butler and Rozier.
With Miami missing their top offensive threats, players like Tyler Herro and Jamie Jaquez Jr. are expected to assume larger roles in the offense.
The duo started in the play-in game on Friday night alongside Caleb Martin. Additionally, Jaquez Jr. is anticipated to play a key defensive role, particularly against Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as the Heat emphasize their defensive strategy against the heavily favored Celtics.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” commented Bam Adebayo to reporters in Miami on Friday. “It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be in the mud. It’s not going to be pretty basketball. That’s usually how it is when we play that team.”
