The Miami Heat couldn’t seal their position as the No. 2 seed in the East after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers 104-105 in the 7-8 Play-In tournament game. Jimmy Butler suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, which Shams Charania has confirmed is an MCL injury that could sideline Butler indefinitely.
“Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is feared to have an MCL injury in his knee, sources tell The Athletic and Stadium. The injury could sideline Butler for an indefinite period. MRI to come.”
Jimmy Butler walking with a slight limp as he heads back to the locker room as the Heat fall to the Sixers in the Play-In Tournament 🙏pic.twitter.com/mPkpDyv6kl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 18, 2024
Fans around the NBA came together to lament the loss of another star heading into the playoffs.
not even the playoffs yet and we’re seeing so many star injuries
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) April 18, 2024
Fans used this to illustrate the importance of the regular season and locking up a top-six seed to avoid the Play-In.
This is why the regular season matters!!!!!
— Curt ☘️ (@CelticsCurt) April 18, 2024
Fans recognized that Butler couldn’t get through a playoff run without some sort of an injury.
The injury luck Jimmy has every playoffs is crazy
— Kasparas Jakučionis Muse (@KasparMuse) April 18, 2024
Fans were devastated to see multiple star players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson, and Jimmy get ruled out in the same week.
Giannis, Zion, Jimmy.
Awful start to the playoffs.
— Dereck Lively II Muse (@DL2Muse) April 18, 2024
Fans were broken up over the potential loss of Butler from this year’s playoffs.
damn man that’s awful. hate to see it
— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) April 18, 2024
Fans were pissed at Kelly Oubre Jr. for his role in the play that led to Butler’s injury.
https://twitter.com/ChiefOttoSosa/status/1780794272754573342
Butler suffered the injury at the end of the first quarter after Kelly Oubre Jr. aggressively contested a shot on an open transition opportunity.
Jimmy Butler is down in a lot of pain…Hope he is OK. 🙏
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 17, 2024
Butler put up 19 points, four rebounds, five assists, and five steals as he limped out of the arena at the end of the night while fans observed that Butler was grimacing throughout the game. The Heat’s playoff hopes ride almost entirely on him, so an extended absence could virtually end a dismal season in Miami.
Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in a disappointing season, with fans hoping that ‘Playoff Butler’ would show up once again to change narratives. We likely won’t see that this season, especially as the Heat need to beat the Chicago Bulls in the final Play-In game to even get a playoff spot.
Jimmy Butler Was Excited To Embrace ‘Playoff Jimmy’
In three out of the last four seasons, Jimmy had far better postseason runs than regular season runs. The Heat are built to be an intelligent playoff team with Butler at the helm but often struggle through the regular season because of a perceived lack of talent or injury issues.
Butler was looking forward to the 2024 Playoffs, even elaborating on his playoff persona in March.
“You mean how can I turn into the greatest basketball player in the world all of a sudden? I don’t know, man. I’m just different. I think this is when you’re supposed to be playing your best basketball and you have to find a way to get your team to win these games when you’re talking about the playoffs coming around. But even right now, you’re getting everybody into their roles. You’re getting in a rhythm. And with my music, I’m getting in my rhythm. Speaking for myself and everybody else in this locker room, we want to win. That’s our focus.”
The focus on winning in the Heat locker room will stay strong, but they’ll likely have to complete their journey without the emotional and on-court leader of the team. This is a massive opportunity for the likes of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, as the pair should at least be good enough to seal a playoff spot by defeating the Bulls.
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