Heat guard Kyle Lowry (hamstring strain) will miss Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Sixers, the team announced on social media (Twitter link). This will be the fourth straight game Lowry has missed.
Lowry, 36, suffered the injury against the Hawks in Game 3 last round. He missed the entire fourth quarter of the contest, which was the only game Miami lost in the series.
The Heat started Gabe Vincent in place of Lowry on Monday. Vincent finished with 10 points and three assists in 29 minutes, shooting 4-of-12. Lowry’s absence has also resulted in Victor Oladipo playing more, as Oladipo received nearly 27 minutes in Game 1.
Caleb Martin (ankle), P.J. Tucker (calf), Max Strus (hamstring), Vincent (knee) and Tyler Herro (ankle) are all listed as questionable for Game 2. Jimmy Butler (knee) and Markieff Morris (illness) have been removed from the injury report, though Butler missed Tuesday’s practice with an excused absence.
Philadelphia will continue to play without superstar center Joel Embiid (mild concussion and orbital fracture). The team would gain home court advantage by beating Miami on Wednesday night.
Although the Heat will no doubt miss Lowry’s playmaking and presence on the court, they have perhaps the most depth in the league in the guard slot.