Updated at 6:57 pm ET
The Miami Heat (9-10) have lost two in a row and are looking down the barrel at a tough three-game slate that starts Wednesday night against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers and concludes with back-to-back home games against the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers over the weekend.
But will they have Jimmy Butler, who missed Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, to go head-to-head with LeBron James? And who will the Lakers be missing? Plus, we already know about a star player who will be sidelined over the weekend. Let’s dive into the latest injury updates.
Miami Heat injury report
The Heat missed Jimmy Butler in Monday’s loss in Boston, which kicked off a stretch against four straight contenders. Even though the Lakers have been struggling, the Heat will need Butler to get a win.
Butler is available after initially being listed as questionable with right knee soreness. Butler sustained the injury when he came down awkwardly Sunday in Toronto and was unable to finish the game in a narrow loss. He was questionable for Monday’s game in Boston before ultimately being ruled out, and Butler shot around at Kaseya Center on Tuesday as he works his way back to an eventual return. A further update will be provided closer to Wednesday’s 7:30 pm ET tipoff.
Meanwhile, Kevin Love is available after missing the last game with back spasms. He should return to his spot in the rotation as Bam Adebayo’s primary backup.
Nikola Jovic was upgraded to available despite a left ankle sprain. Jovic hasn’t played in the last five games. Two because of injury, and three as coach Erik Spoelstra’s decision.
Josh Richardson was downgraded to questionable with right heel soreness. He was previously listed on the injury report with an illness, so the heel issue is new.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
First, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are good to go. Davis is listed as probable with a left foot injury and is expected to play.
The Lakers will be without Austin Reaves, who was downgraded to out with a left pelvic contusion. Rotation bigs Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt remain sidelined with their respective injuries.
Kevin Durant injury news
After rolling his ankle in the second quarter of Tuesday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs, Suns star Kevin Durant will be re-evaluated in a week, according to ESPN. That sidelines him for Phoenix’s next three games, including Saturday’s tip against the Heat.