Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has only played 23 games this season due to a few knee injuries. The six-time All-Star missed seven straight games in November with a sore right knee. Of course, the winger missed three more contests with a right knee injury.
Butler is listed as day-to-day on Miami’s injury report. While his knee is on the mend, the 12-year veteran still feels he is not ready to play. On whether or not his knee is on the mend, Butler told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: “It is.
According to a handful of NBA betting sites, the Heat have the 14th-best odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are giving better odds to the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Heat’s Jimmy Butler after positive medical evaluation on knee, ‘I can’t say I’m completely healthy’ https://t.co/voMgRV9hWY pic.twitter.com/SbCpC6h0QW
— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) January 2, 2023
“Because I can go out there and compete,” Butler added. “I cannot say that I am completely healthy. But there are many people who are not. So I think this is good on many levels.
“The more rest I get and the more I can get that recovery, the better it’s always going to be. So hell, when I’m not playing, I’m doing something to fix it.”
Heat wing Jimmy Butler’s right knee is still not fully recovered, feels he needs more rest
Butler also has limited control in injury prevention, and let’s just say his knee issues came at a bad time this season. The Heat are 19-18 and eighth overall in the Eastern Conference standings. Can he stay healthy for the second half of the season?
In 23 starts, Butler is averaging 21.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.1 steals this season. Also, he shot a career-best 52.8% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc.
#MIAvsLAC INJURY UPDATE: Jimmy Butler (knee) is listed as possible for tonight’s game against the Clippers.
Caleb Martin (quad) is listed as questionable.
— Miami Heat (@MiamiHEAT) January 2, 2023
In the year On November 10, in the Heat’s 117-112 win over the Charlotte Hornets, the forward scored a season-high 35 points in 43 minutes. He finished 11 of 19 (57.9%) shooting from the floor.
Last season, the team went 23-14 in Miami’s first 37 games. Now, four more wins and four fewer losses may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but the Heat were a healthy team. Soon after, the Heat advanced to the 2020 NBA Finals as well.
Simply put, the Heat are not a playoff team right now. They ranked dead last with an average of 109 points per game. Their offensive efficiency rating ranks 26th (1.077). Although Miami is allowing just 109.6 points per contest, that means little as it continues to struggle offensively. Tyler Hero cannot carry this team by himself.
