Jimmy Butler missed the final game of the first round series vs the Hawks with a knee issue. However, he revealed Saturday that he’s ready to play in Monday’s semifinal series opening game between the Miami and the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It’s all right,” Butler told reporters after Saturday’s practice. “We got another day in between. Get out there, rip and ride. And I know it will be ready to hold up come Monday”.
UPDATE: Jimmy Butler says the knee will be ready to hold up Monday (for Game 1). “The time off has been great for myself and everybody who’s been nicked up.” — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 30, 2022
Butler was out with right knee inflammation in the series-clinching win over Atlanta. He has been the best player of the Miami Heat in the first round averaging 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in four games.
The veteran superstar will be crucial to Miami’s playoff success as they’re entering the semifinal series vs Philadelphia with home-advantage. While the Heat will be mostly healthy starting the series, the Sixers will play without superstar Joel Embiid.
Butler addressed his former teammate injury, as Embiid will miss portion of the series with a mild concussion and an orbital fracture. It’s unknown when he will be ready to come back.
“I feel bad for my guy,” Butler said. “Obviously, one of my former teammates, arguably the MVP of this league. And I think I speak for everybody that’s a part of this team, we want Jo to play.
We want to go up against them at full strength and prove that we can hang with anybody and we can beat anybody. It’s a mishap. I hope he recovers well and gets back very, very soon.”
Comments