Before their Christmas match against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat reportedly did not have Haywood Highsmith, Jimmy Butler, or Dru Smith at practice on Sunday.
Butler and Highsmith did not practice, which is not a good sign, but he could still play in the team’s game against the Sixers. A knee injury has forced Smith to miss the entire season.
Miami has won its last two games despite Butler missing them against the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat star is shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc this season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He would be missed in Miami if he missed Monday’s game.
With Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo recently returning to the lineup, the Heat appeared to be finally getting healthy; however, Butler is now the newest player to be sidelined.
One of the Heat’s best perimeter defenders, Highsmith, could also be used to counter the Sixers’ formidable offensive line. If Highsmith can suit up on Monday, he might be used to guard Tyrese Maxey, a rising star guard.
Highsmith has made 19 appearances for the Heat this season, including 14 starts. He is shooting 33.9 percent from three-point range and 42.2 percent from the field, averaging 1.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 6.3 points per game.
Butler and Highsmith’s absence means that the Heat will probably rely a lot on Jaime Jaquez.
Although they are only 8-6 at Kaseya Center this season, the Heat would love to win at home. The Sixers have been a strong away team, taking home the win in eight of their past twelve away games.
Once the Heat announce their injury report for the match, more information regarding Butler and Highsmith’s status should become available. On Christmas Eve, at 11:30 a.m. EST, the team still hadn’t filed an official injury report.
