Heat fans wanted the Celtics. Now they have them.
However, Miami will have to do it without Jimmy Butler, who will play the role of cheerleader when South Beach takes on Beantown.
The Heat were left brokenhearted twice in the lead-up to clinching the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot. As if a heartbreaking loss to the 76ers wasn't enough, the injury bug later took a significant bite out of their heart and soul.
Butler missed Miami's Play-In win over Chicago. The six-time All-Star has also been out to start the first-round series against the Celtics without a clear timetable to return.
Here's the latest on Butler's knee injury.
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Why is Jimmy Butler not playing?
Butler is out with a sprained right MCL, which the team announced before their Play-In game against the Bulls.
The injury came as the result of a fall in the first quarter against the 76ers when Butler tried to beat the buzzer. A collision with Kelly Oubre Jr. left the Heat star in plenty of pain, which he battled through the rest of the night.
Jimmy Butler was shaken up after Kelly Oubre fell on his leg on this play.
— ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2024
He remained in the game. pic.twitter.com/XI882gNt9N
Despite being clearly hobbled, Butler finished the contest — a 105-104 loss that forced Miami into a win-or-go-home game against Chicago.
“I fell, he landed and my knee just didn’t do well, I guess,” Butler said after the game. “I don’t know. It’s not a good feeling, I can tell you that.”
Heat fans, and players, were forced to hold their collective breath as Butler headed for an MRI, which certainly didn't ease the pain for the team going forward.
MORE: Jimmy Butler posts about 'throwing hands' with Kelly Oubre Jr.
How long is Jimmy Butler out?
Butler missed Games 1 and 2 against the Celtics. He is out for Game 3, and his potential to return for the first-round series does not sound promising.
"It's crazy to me that Jimmy Butler played three quarters with what I'm hearing now was a severe MCL sprain. He is not going to be back in this series," The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Monday.
"This is a rehab that is going to go at least one month. It could be two months of rehab."
The forward is no stranger to injuries during his NBA career, playing in just 60 games this season. Butler has only eclipsed the 70-game mark twice during his 14-year career, with the last instance coming during the 2016-17 season with the Bulls.
Despite that reality, Butler has always been a mainstay in the starting lineup once the playoffs roll around, earning the nickname "Playoff Jimmy" for his Herculean efforts. He has averaged 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while playing 38.5 minutes per game in the playoffs for the Heat in four postseasons since signing in South Beach.
SN's NBA AWARDS: All-NBA Team | All-Defense Team | Player of the Year
Heat vs. Celtics schedule, TV channels
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 21 | Game 1 | 1 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
| April 24 | Game 2 | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| April 27 | Game 3 | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| April 29 | Game 4 | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 5 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Jimmy Butler stats 2023-24
- 20.8 points per game
- 5.3 rebounds per game
- 5.0 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 1.7 turnovers per game
- 49.9 percent field goal shooting
- 41.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.8 percent free throw shooting