Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who has missed the last two games with a right ankle sprain, is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center.
Butler has missed four games this season, including the last two losses against the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat have lost three straight heading into the first of a two-game series against the Pacers (Thursday and Saturday). The Heat will likely make a decision on Butler's status closer to the 7:30 p.m. tip, but this is not believed to be a long-term issue.
The Heat have listed both Jimmy Butler and Haywood Highsmith as questionable for Thursday's home game against the Pacers.
In addition to Butler, Haywood Highsmtih is also listed as questionable with a lower back contusion. Highsmith injurued his back on a hard ball in Brooklyn last weekend and missed Tuesday's game against the Bucks. Since taking over as the starting power forward, the Heat are 9-3 in the games he has played.
With Butler and Highsmith sidelined against the Bucks, the Heat started Josh Richardson and Kevin Love at the forward positions.
Bam Adebayo (left hip contusion) and Duncan Robinson (right thumb sprain), who both returned against the Bucks, are listed as probable.
The Heat have ruled out three players for Thursday's game: Tyler Herro (right ankle sprain), R.J. Hampton (right knee sprain) and Dru Smith (season-ending ACL sprain).
Herro, who was seen putting up shots after Miami's practice on Monday, is expected to return to the lineup soon.