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Jimmy Butler injury update: Heat forward leaves game vs. Pistons with ankle injury

Micah Adams

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Jimmy Butler injury update: Heat forward leaves game vs. Pistons with ankle injury image

Ankle injuries continue to plague Jimmy Butler who left Tuesday's game against the Pistons with a sprained right ankle. Butler finished the first half but was replaced by Gabe Vincent to start the third quarter. 

Butler has battled ankle injuries all season. The Heat All-Star already sustained three separate ankle injuries this season prior to this one, causing him to miss seven games.

Beyond the lingering ankle injuries, Butler has also missed time this season with tailbone and toe injuries. He's missed 23 games in all after missing 20 last season. Since joining the Heat prior to the 2019-20 season, Butler has missed 58 total games.

The six-time All-Star entered the game against Detroit averaging 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season. 

Miami sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 2.5 game lead on the Milwaukee Bucks with 12 games left. They have two days off before returning to action on Friday at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Micah Adams

Micah Adams Photo

Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate and Commercial Content at Sporting News. Prior to joining SN in 2021, Adams spent over a decade producing and leading content teams at ESPN, DAZN and The Social Institute. Adams graduated from Duke University in 2009 and remains a Cameron Crazie at heart well into his 30s. When not losing sleep or hair over the Blue Devils, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bulls, and USMNT, Adams enjoys chasing his two small children around along with his wife, losing golf balls, spending time outdoors and binging terrible movies.