NBA: Heat’s Jimmy Butler questionable, Kyle Lowry out for Game 1

Kyle Lowry #7 and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat look on from the bench against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 26, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is questionable to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers because of right knee inflammation, the team said Sunday.

Butler wasn’t alone in being listed as questionable for Monday’s series opener, however. The top-seeded Heat also listed guards Max Strus (hamstring) and Tyler Herro (respiratory illness) and forwards P.J. Tucker (calf), Caleb Martin (ankle) and Markieff Morris (non-COVID illness) with that status.

Guard Kyle Lowry, however, has been ruled out for Game 1 with a hamstring injury.

Butler, 32, sat out Miami’s first-round series-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 on Tuesday.

A six-time All-Star, Butler averaged 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the series against Atlanta.

Lowry, 36, averaged 8.3 points and 5.3 assists in three games versus the Hawks.

RELATED STORIES