Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will miss Game 2 (7:30 ET, TNT) of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup against the New York Knicks on Tuesday due to a sprained right ankle, the team announced earlier.
Butler, along with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and the team medical staff, were all in agreement on the decision, Spoelstra said pregame.
Butler injured his ankle late in the fourth quarter of the series-opener on Sunday, but stayed in the game to help Miami secure a 108-101 victory and 1-0 series lead. Butler scored 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in the win.
The six-time All-Star has been extraordinary throughout the 2023 playoffs and led heat to one of the most stunning first-round playoff upsets in NBA history as they eliminated the top-seed Milwaukee Bucks in five games. Butler delivered the entire series, averaging 37.6 points, including a 56-point effort in Game 4.
