Jimmy Butler in the third game against the Knicks
After missing Game 2 with a sprained right ankle, the Miami Heat star returned to the starting line-up for Saturday’s 3rd match against the New York Knicks.
The injury was directly in the ankle and he stopped playing immediately. Heat coach Eric Spolstra said Butler was receiving treatment around the clock but wasn’t suitable to play in Game 2, a game the Knicks had already won in the series.
Butler injured his right ankle with a 505 to go in the Hit Series – opening the palm when Josh Hart inadvertently intercepted the ankle while Butler got up for a shot. Butler remained in the game until 23.6 seconds remaining and the Miami palm was secured.
In Game 2, seven playoffs aren’t very basic, so Hit is forced. The platoon previously dealt with injuries by Tyler Hero (fracture of the right hand) and Victor Oladipo (rupture of the left patellar tendon).
With three days between Games 2 and 3, Butler was fit to work in a place he was allowed to go. He left Miami without Butler affected the lineup
Previously again, Butler stepped up his game in the playoffs. Having collected 22.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the regular season while hitting 53.9 from the bottom and 35.0 from 3 on 1.6 attempts per game, the “playoff Jimmy” is 35.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 58.5 shots while 42.9 from deep strokes on 4.7 attempts per game.