Tuesday night features a much-anticipated Eastern Conference bout between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. host the reigning East champs, who incidentally, were responsible for Milwaukee’s devastating first-round exit in last season’s playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Heat, they will be significantly shorthanded when they battle the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum.
Jimmy Butler OUT Vs. Milwaukee Bucks
![Miami Heat Will Be Without At Least 3 Key Players Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Amid Looming Injury Crisis 1 MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 24: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives against Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GetPaidStock.com-6523766c19eea.jpg)
For starters, Jimmy Butler won’t be available to play on Tuesday night. The Heat star is currently on a leave of absence due to a recent death in the family. He was sidelined for Miami’s loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, and he won’t be available as well on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Butler will miss a total of three games because of this tragic turn of events as the Heat head into the All-Star break.
Butler, who is averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals this season, was not voted as an All-Star this year, which will give him more time to spend with his family during the break.
Brutally Undermanned
![Miami Heat Will Be Without At Least 3 Key Players Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Amid Looming Injury Crisis 2 USATSI 22458891 168400517 lowres scaled](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/USATSI_22458891_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
It’s not just Butler who will be out of action against the Bucks, though. Miami will be without a second starter as Terry Rozier sits out due to a sprain in his right knee. Josh Richardson is also out of action due to a dislocated right shoulder, while Duncan Robinson is questionable to play with a left shoulder/elbow sprain.
With so many key guys missing on Tuesday night, much of the load will fall on the able shoulders of Bam Adebayo. The All-Star big man will have to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor against a powerhouse Bucks side.
UPDATE: Duncan Robinson will be available against the Bucks.
![Miami Heat Will Be Without At Least 3 Key Players Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Amid Looming Injury Crisis 3 Apr 24, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) get tangled up in the fourth quarter during game four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/USATSI_20531893_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
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