Early in the NBA's 2021-22 season, the Miami Heat have proved themselves to be one of the league's frontrunners, and Jimmy Butler's MVP-caliber level of play is a huge reason for that.
He ranks third in the league in ESPN's Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and fourth in NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate (PIE).
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Butler left the Heat's game against the Lakers in Los Angeles early with an ankle injury. What's the status of the 32-year-old and the severity of his injury?
What is Jimmy Butler's injury?
Butler left the game after playing all 12 minutes of the first quarter. He appeared to sprain his right ankle around the 1:19 mark of the first quarter after injuring it in a lock-up with Lakers guard Wayne Ellington.
Closer to halftime, the Heat made it official that the All-Star would not be returning to the game.
Here's what we know about the Jimmy Butler ankle sprain.@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/nMdE7trIRs
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 11, 2021
At the time he left the game, Butler had posted seven points, two steals and an assist.
How long is Jimmy Butler ruled out?
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Butler won't play against the Clippers on Thursday.
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler will be held out of tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a right ankle sprain, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/RYozZR1Zlp
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 11, 2021
The Clippers matchup is the third stop in a five-game Western Conference road trip for the Heat. Having played in Denver and after these games at the STAPLES Center, Miami travels to Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City.
Stay tuned for the latest on Butler's status and if he's ruled out beyond one game.
Butler had played in every one of the Heat's 10 games to start the season prior to his injury, averaging a career-high 25.3 points along with 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals on 53.0 percent shooting from the field.
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