Miami Heat: What happens if Josh Richardson is ruled out for Game 5?

Who will take over for Miami Heat swingman Josh Richardson?

The Miami Heat’s Game 4 loss hurt. And not just because the team is now down 3-1 to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The defeat also came with a shoulder sprain for Josh Richardson, who is now being listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s Game 5 matchup. Although the third-year participated in shootaround and wants to play, there is still a chance the Heat will be without their two-way powerhouse.

"“Everything in me wants to play tomorrow. I’m definitely going to give it my best shot,” said the swingman. “It feels good right now. I’ve been getting a lot of treatment today. We’ll see what happens.”"

While Heat Nation is certainly hopeful that Richardson will be available, they should also be prepared for the alternative.

Which in this case, means someone else stepping up.

Say like, Wayne Ellington?

Averaging 19.8 minutes a game so far this postseason, the guard may see an increase in minutes, should Richardson be sidelined. With Tyler Johnson nursing a jammed thumb and Rodney McGruder just returning from a fractured leg, Ellington is likely the next man up.

And why not?

The 30-year-old has had a career-season, averaging 11.2 points in 26.5 minutes of play in 2017-18. He finished the year with scoring the most 3-pointers off the bench in league history, while setting a new franchise-record with 227 3’s in a single season. And perhaps most relevant to tonight’s game: led the team in total points in the fourth quarter, with 287.

He has also already showed his worth in the playoffs, finishing Game 4 with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting from downtown, alongside two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Now obviously, Ellington is mostly known for his 3-point shooting (whereas Richardson has a more versatile skill-set). But that doesn’t mean the guard doesn’t hold his own on the other side of the floor as well.

Especially going up against other sharp-shooters like Marco Belinelli.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra seems pretty open to the idea, too.

"“I’m open to anything right now,” Spoelstra said regarding both Ellington and Johnson’s roles, moving forward. “It’s just the way those games have gone. It has nothing to do with a lack of confidence or anything. Quite the contrary.”"

Would Ellington’s Game 5 stat-line mirror what Richardson could produce? Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t contribute to the team’s success, in a different way. And right now, it’s time to try anything to avoid being eliminated.

Next: Miami Heat: Should Rodney McGruder be carrying some of the load?

Will Richardson be cleared by the Miami Heat for tonight? Stay tuned.