Jimmy Butler was having another historic postseason before injury struck.
In Game 1 of the Heat's second-round series with the Knicks, Butler suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for Game 2. The Knicks made the most of Butler's absence, defeating the Heat to tie the Eastern Conference Semifinals at 1-1.
Will Butler be cleared for Game 3 as the series shifts to Miami?
Here's everything we know about Butler's injury and his potential return.
MORE: Why Heat couldn't challenge shot clock violation call in Game 2 loss
What is Jimmy Butler's injury?
Butler is listed on the Heat's injury report with a right ankle sprain.
The six-time All-Star suffered the injury in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on a drive to the basket. He immediately fell to the ground following a collision with the Knicks' Josh Hart in the fourth quarter and grabbed his right ankle.
Here's a video of the sequence:
Butler stayed in the game but was clearly laboring.
Jimmy Butler limped to the free throw line after rolling his ankle.
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2023
He made both. pic.twitter.com/Obfa4NBqEC
Butler finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 43 minutes of play, leading the Heat to victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
How long will Jimmy Butler be out?
Butler was originally listed as questionable for Game 2 against the Knicks, but he was later ruled out.
On the morning of the game, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Butler wanted to play and his ankle injury wasn't "as serious" as it looked.
Butler's status for Game 3 against the Knicks is currently unknown.
Through six games, Butler is averaging 35.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals on 58.5 percent shooting in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Jimmy Butler career stats, highlights
- 18.2 points per game
- 5.3 rebounds per game
- 4.2 assists per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 0.5 blocks per game
- 1.6 turnovers per game
- 33.2 minutes per game
- 46.7 percent field goal shooting
- 32.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 84.2 percent free throw shooting
