The Miami Heat head into Game 5 of their first-round NBA Playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday with a chance to close the door on their opponents. Up 3-1 in the series and on the backs of two monster Jimmy Butler performances, Game 2 and Game 4, they’ll head home to try and take care of the business.
Injured in Game 3 of the series though, they’ll still be without their starting point guard in Kyle Lowry, who sat out in Game 4 due to a hamstring issue. He’ll also be down for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Kyle Lowry (hamstring) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 vs. Hawks.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 25, 2022
Missing Lowry for Game 4, the Miami Heat showed no ill effects due to his absence. That’s, as always, just it though.
The Miami Heat didn’t necessarily need Lowry in order to win this series. It’s about all of the games beyond this series where Lowry’s presence will be so crucial.
With what occurred in Game 3, the Miami Heat giving up a huge lead late in the game, you could see how he has an impact there.
The Miami Heat were without Kyle Lowry in their Game 4 win on Tuesday due to his hamstring issue. Though he didn’t play, he was involved on the sidelines.
He is their composure, their calm, and though that’s something they can manufacture enough of without him against a team like the Hawks in this first round, you want him there as you progress through the playoffs. Well, just because he isn’t on the floor, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t involved either though.
Kyle Lowry doing some coaching on the Miami sideline 👏 pic.twitter.com/VvnlWMTRGh
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2022
As exemplified in this timeout sequence captured from Game 4, Lowry is still as involved as he would be if he were on the court. He’s helping the guys get to their stuff and be their best selves.
This is also the reason why he is so important on the floor for them. His leadership, the things he can see, and his intangible behaviors that don’t show up in the box score are all essential to this team’s hopes.
Now, the fact that he can still get to the free-throw line, get into the paint when he needs to, and make a big three don’t hurt either, but you get the picture.
The Miami Heat should look to close things out Tuesday, as Monday night saw the series of their next competitor, whomever it is betwixt the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers at this point, go just one more game with a Toronto win pushing it to 3-2 in favor of Philly.
The more time off the Miami Heat allow themselves, the better it is for Kyle Lowry’s hamstring and their chances of getting him back on the floor. Until then, he’ll just help coach the team from the bench.