Butler suffers MCL sprain, out several weeks
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler suffered an MCL sprain during Wednesday's 105-104 play-in tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team announced Thursday.
Butler will be out several weeks, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. He underwent an MRI earlier on Thursday.
Miami faces the Chicago Bulls on Friday with a playoff spot on the line.
Butler appeared to hurt himself when Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. landed on his leg after the Heat star's layup attempt.
Jimmy Butler was shaken up after Kelly Oubre fell on his leg on this play.
— ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2024
He remained in the game. pic.twitter.com/XI882gNt9N
The 34-year-old finished with 19 points, five assists, five steals, and four rebounds in 40 minutes.
After the game, Butler left the arena with a noticeable limp.
Jimmy Butler limped out of Wells Fargo Center after the Heat's play-in loss.
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) April 18, 2024
(via @JakeLFischer) pic.twitter.com/xrb78IHM4d
"It really stiffened up on him in the second half. ... It started to limit him a little more," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra when asked postgame about Butler's knee, according to NBA TV. "We have no idea right now; we'll see when we get back to Miami."
Miami is already without guard Terry Rozier, who's missed the last five contests due to a neck injury.