The Miami Heat have listed nine players on their injury report ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Monday’s matchup is the second night of a back-to-back for the Heat, who beat the Detroit Pistons on Bam Adebayo’s game-winning 3-pointer on Sunday.
BAM GAME-WINNER!!!! pic.twitter.com/8tQtITKy6H
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) March 17, 2024
Adebayo (low back contusion) and Caleb Martin (left thumb sprain) are listed as available on the team’s injury report, but Tyler Herro (right foot medial tendinitis), Nikola Jovic (right hamstring strain), Kevin Love (right heel bruise), Josh Richardson (right shoulder surgery), Cole Swider (G League) and Alondes Williams (G League) have all been ruled out. Star Jimmy Butler is listed as questionable with a right foot contusion. He missed the team’s win over Detroit on Sunday.
Butler’s status looms large for Miami, as the team could use the six-time All-Star in such a big game for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat and Sixers both enter this game with 37-30 records, but Miami is 2-0 against Philly so far this season. A third win would go a long way for the Heat, as it would not only give the team a full game lead on the Sixers, but it would also guarantee the team a win in the season series.
The Heat and Sixers play a fourth matchup on April 4 this season.
Right now, the Heat hold the No. 7 seed in the East, while Philly is in the No. 8 spot. Both teams are looking to avoid the play-in tournament in the East by securing a top-six seed in the conference.
Butler, who joined Miami after a short stint in Philadelphia, is averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Heat have gone an impressive 13-7 without Butler this season, but with other key players like Herro, Love and Jovic sidelined, the Heat certainly want the five-time All-NBA selection out there on Monday night.
Herro, who is one of Miami’s top scorers this season (and in several previous seasons), has been banged up all season long, appearing in just 36 games. He last played on Feb. 23.
It’s worth noting that Philadelphia has ruled out reigning league MVP Joel Embiid (knee) and Tobias Harris (ankle) for this game.
The Heat and Sixers are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Monday night in Philadelphia.
