The status of Miami Heat veteran Jimmy Butler for the team’s Christmas clash against New Orleans Pelicans is in doubt because of a sprained right ankle suffered at the opening of the Heat season.
Jimmy Butler listed as questionable by the Heat on Christmas Day vs. Pelicans, with a sprained right ankle, after being sprained on Wednesday in Orlando.
– Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 24, 2020
Butler was the driving force behind last year’s Heat team that finally made it to the NBA finals.
His absence on Friday would be a blow to the Heat, after Wednesday night’s 113-107 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Of course, Butler’s intense approach to the game means that he will make every effort to get on the field and fight any pain he has to endure.
However, Heat’s training team and head coach Erik Spoelstra are likely to look into the situation more broadly.
That’s because Friday’s game is only the second game of the season. Even if the Heat lost, the defeat would be of little importance.
Letting Butler rest his injured ankle can prevent a situation where he may end up dealing with a persistent problem for a long period of time.