The Miami Heat handled their business on Tuesday night, dismissing the Atlanta Hawks while only allowing a one-game respite to the eighth seed, with that still being a game Miami should have won. Taking the series 4-1 in the end, they would have to do so without two of their most key guys going.
With Kyle Lowry tweaking a hamstring in Game 3 of the series, he would be joined on the pine by Jimmy Butler for what turned out to be the elimination Game 5 with a minor knee issue.
Not said to be serious, it was reported that both he and Lowry could have possibly been ready to go had there been a Game 6 in this series.
Jimmy Butler‘s status is such that he could be available if a game is needed Thursday in Atlanta. There also would be a chance for a Kyle Lowry return for such a game. For now, it could be up to the likes of Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 26, 2022
That wasn’t to be necessary though, as the Miami Heat would continue to dominate Trae Young on the defensive end and thus, send his Hawks home to Atlanta for good this season. While the defense was a very big part of the plan, all series long, they still had to put a few points up on their end.
In that department and without two of your most proven playoff performers going, they needed a guy to step up.