Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat (Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Jimmy Butler’s injury status could make or break this series for the Miami Heat against the New York Knicks.
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. His absence in Game 2 winded up being crucial, as the Knicks evened the series 1-1.
So, Game 3 winds up being a massive swing game. The team that takes Game 3 in a series locked at a game each tends to go on and win it all. With that, Butler’s availability is huge, because he has frequently been the Heat’s go-to guy, with a 56-point and 42-point performance under his belt already this postseason.
Here’s the latest on Butler.
Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight?
Shams Charania reported on Saturday afternoon that Jimmy Butler has been cleared to play. Expect to see him suit up for Game 3, which will be back at home for the Heat, as will Game 4. A great two-game opportunity for the Heat to wedge a distance between they and the Knicks.
With Butler back, the Knicks will need to be on their A-game to secure a victory. Both Miami and New York upset their first-round opponents, with the Heat taking down the Milwaukee Bucks and the Knicks knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Both teams are gritty and scrappy. It’s no shock that one is coached by Tom Thibodeau, and one is an ultimate Tom Thibodeau player in Jimmy Butler.
Though this will create some nervous sweats for Knicks fans, you have to love it. If the Knicks are to take this series, you want it to be an impressive win against the Heat at full capacity, not a hobbled team.