Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight? TV channel, live stream, start time for Heat vs. Bulls Play-In game

Gilbert McGregor

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Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight? TV channel, live stream, start time for Heat vs. Bulls Play-In game image

The Heat's chances to repeat as Eastern Conference champions could be in jeopardy.

Miami is back in the Play-In Tournament for a second straight season, but in its first game, Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury late in the first quarter. Butler did not exit the game but was hobbled and became less of a factor as the game progressed.

With Butler limited, the Heat did not have enough to hold off the 76ers and now face a win-or-go-home situation in Friday's Play-In Tournament game. The winner will head to Boston to face the East's top seed and the loser will begin their offseason preparations.

Will the Heat have Butler in tow when they take the floor on Friday? Here is the latest on his status for Friday's game.

MORE: Expert All-Defensive Team picks from Steph Noh

Is Jimmy Butler playing tonight?

Butler has been ruled out of Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Bulls because of a right MCL sprain, the Heat announced.

Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 60 games during the 2023-24 season. Miami was 33-27 with Butler and 13-9 in the games he missed.

With a win Friday, Miami would earn the East's No. 8 seed and face the 1-seed Celtics in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

What channel is Heat vs. Bulls?

  • Date: Friday, April 19
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streaming: Sling TV

The Heat and Bulls will battle for the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed Friday, April 19. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Play-In Tournament and playoffs on Sling TV. Sling is the home for avid sports fans offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1, and more.

What time is Heat vs. Bulls tonight?

  • Date: Friday, April 19
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT

Friday's Play-In game between the Heat and Bulls is scheduled to tip off around 7 p.m. ET from the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Play-In Tournament bracket

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Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.