Heat's Butler may have MCL injury after 76ers loss

Miami Heat's star player Jimmy Butler is reportedly suspected of having sustained an MCL injury during the Play-In Tournament game on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to sources cited by The Athletic.

The incident occurred towards the end of the first quarter during the Heat's narrow 105-104 defeat. Butler was fouled while attempting a fast-break layup and collided with the 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. He appeared to be in considerable pain and discomfort but managed to limp to the bench. Despite the apparent injury, Butler stayed in the game, logging 40 minutes and contributing 19 points, although he only made 5 of his 18 shot attempts. In addition to his scoring, Butler recorded five steals and five assists.

An MRI scheduled for Thursday will assess the full extent of Butler's injury. The outcome of this could potentially rule him out indefinitely, posing a significant blow to the Heat as they face a crucial win-or-go-home game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Depending on the results, Butler's availability for the remainder of the playoffs could also be in jeopardy.


Reflecting on his performance and condition post-game, Butler expressed concern that his injury might have hindered the team's performance more than it helped, stating that he felt "extremely limited" as the game progressed. He also emphasized his commitment to assessing the situation further with an MRI on his knee scheduled for the following day.

Source Yahoo Sports : Report: Heat star Jimmy Butler feared to have MCL injury after play-in loss to 76ers
Source The Athletic : Heat star Jimmy Butler feared to have suffered MCL injury: Sources