The Heat have a new injury concern with Jimmy Butler, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Returning to the lineup after missing the previous four games with a left calf strain, Butler had to leave Saturday’s contest at Utah after hurting his right foot in a collision with Collin Sexton. According to Chiang, Butler walked slowly to Miami’s bench after the play and then headed to the locker room.
Head coach Eric Spoelstra wasn’t able to offer an update on Butler’s condition after the game, but X-rays taken on his foot were negative. Chiang states that the team will see how Butler is feeling over the next few days before deciding whether to perform an MRI.
Chiang notes that Butler has already missed eight games this season and may have to add to that total. With Tyler Herro sidelined for a long stretch due to a sprained ankle and Bam Adebayo dealing with nagging injuries, the team’s three best players have only been together for eight games.
There’s more on the two Florida teams:
- Haywood Highsmith was helped to the locker room in the final seconds of Saturday’s game after he also collided with Sexton and was hit in the head and neck area, Chiang adds. Injuries have already caused Highsmith to miss 11 games. The Heat were using their 18th different starting lineup of the season Saturday, as ongoing injuries gave rare starts to Nikola Jovic and two-way player R.J. Hampton.
- Goga Bitadze was back in the Magic‘s starting lineup on Friday, but he didn’t find out about the assignment until an hour before game time, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. Wendell Carter Jr.‘s right knee flared up during warm-ups and he was ruled out because of tendinitis. “Honestly, even before the game I thought he was going to play,” Bitadze said. “We talked with him an hour before the game. I don’t want to say it was hard, but it was different. You’ve got to lock in differently when you start the games than when you come off the bench. I had to lock in and find a place [mentally] where I was ready to start. I think I did a good job and it was a great win.” Coach Jamahl Mosley said the medical staff will monitor Carter closely as he continues to work his way back after missing 20 games with an injured left hand.
- Markelle Fultz is listed as questionable for the Magic‘s contest Sunday at Phoenix, meaning there’s a chance he could return after missing 23 games with tendinitis in his left knee, Beede adds.
Magic win without Fultz and Carter Jr. Magic lose when Carter Jr has started. Goga starts and magic win…
Yep. Time to move on from Fultz, Carter, and Isaac.
I agree. Fultz, Houston and Carter Jr and protected 1st to Utah for Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Dunn or Fultz to Utah and Carter Jr, Okeke to Detroit for Wiseman and Hayes. I think Isaac will be a lifer
How many times I’ll say this, Orlando Magic FO will NOT going to trade Jonathan Isaac, period. He is the heart and soul of this franchise something like UD was for Miami.
I know buddy. I listened to you last time. I said he is a lifer in my post.
Yep. Goga is best kept secret in the leauge.
So Sexton injured two players in the same game… Luckily he’s only 6’3
Gotta feel bad for Fultz. His body broke down in his early twenties.
Speak for yourself some of us peaked in high school…
I have a wonderful and realistic trade idea that is going to works perfectly good financially and teams future for both teams Portland and Orlando:
Portland will gets Markelle Fultz, Chuma Okeke and a second round pick.
Orlando will get Malcolm Brogdon.
Why Portland would do this trade?
Fultz and Okeke both of them will be free agents next year, they can buyout Fultz and do whatever they want to do with Chuma, if Portland do that they will save over 22 millions in caps space for next year besides of more playing time for the young players on the team.
Why Orlando would do this trade? Brogdon will bring to Orlando a veteran point guard experience that Orlando desperately needs and in addition his contract is a good contract money wise and only two years left by that time AB will be ready to take over the starting point guard position. Also will open a spot in the team that Orlando can use to sign a veteran free agent player if they want, perhaps DH12 lol.
I am rooting for Fultz so I want the best for him. Portland would be bad for him with Scoot there
Most likely Portland will buyout him right away if this trade happens, any contender team can rent Fultz for the rest of the year. Boston, Denver, Clippers and even Philadelphia are in needs of a backup point guard.
this trade makes little sense for Portland. Chuma couldn’t crack the lineup last year why would Portland want him just to expire? I think they would want someone they could hold on to. maybe a draft pick to sweeten the pot. Giving up on Fultz is kind of short sighted he is capable of running this offense and has a knack for making big plays at big times. It’s tantalizing I wonder if he can come back strong.