Jimmy Butler injury update: Heat star is out for Game 2 vs. Knicks with ankle sprain

Kyle Irving

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Jimmy Butler injury update: Heat star is out for Game 2 vs. Knicks with ankle sprain image

Heat Nation collectively held its breath late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Game 1 against the Knicks.

With Miami leading by three points and just five minutes left in the contest, Heat star Jimmy Butler suffered an ugly right ankle injury.

Butler has been a different beast in these playoffs, averaging a postseason-best 37.6 points per game to lead Miami to the second round.

How serious is Butler's injury? The Sporting News has the latest updates below.

MORE: How long is Tyler Herro out with hand injury?

What is Jimmy Butler's injury?

Late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 against the Knicks, Butler went down with a right ankle injury after getting tangled up with Josh Hart on a drive to the basket.

Butler stayed down for a moment, and it seemed as though he would have to come out of the game. But he elected to tough it out with his team holding a narrow lead.

He didn't check out of the game until there were 23 seconds remaining and Miami had secured the victory. Butler finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 43 minutes of play.

How long will Jimmy Butler be out?

Just over an hour before tip-off, the Heat announced that Butler will be out for Game 2 with a sprained right ankle.

Butler's next chance to suit up is Thursday, May 4 when the series returns to Miami for Game 3.

Recovery time for rolled/sprained ankle

There are three types of ankle sprains: Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate) and Grade 3 (severe). A severe sprain can take multiple weeks to fully heal, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The grade of Butler's ankle sprain is unclear. The Heat will only be able to establish a recovery timeline for Butler once they know the severity of the injury.

Knicks vs. Heat schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between New York and Miami:

Date Game Time (ET)/Result TV channel
April 30 Game 1 Heat 108, Knicks 101 ABC
May 2 Game 2 7:30 p.m. TNT
May 6 Game 3 3:30 p.m. ABC
May 8 Game 4 7:30 p.m. TNT
May 10 Game 5* TBD TNT
May 12 Game 6* TBD ESPN
May 15 Game 7* 8 p.m. TNT

*If necessary

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.