It was not those last, desperate seconds at the end of the game, but rather a blow that occurred late in the first
quarter that finally put an end to the Miami Heat’s season on Wednesday and likely beyond. Jimmy Butler leaped up
for a shot, dribbled beneath the hoop, and fell awkwardly on Kelly Oubre’s extended leg of Philadelphia.
Pat Riley, the president of the Heat, and Alonzo Mourning, the team’s scowling vice president, watched in agony as
Butler lay on the floor like a felled oak. Seeking some karmic revenge, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra questioned the
officials about what had transpired there using more forceful language.
Butler stood up and attempted to walk off the wound. The Heat had a 13-point advantage at the half thanks to several
key plays he made using his basketball acumen. He made an effort to be tough during the second half. However,
when the Heat collapsed in the closing minutes, there was no denying the severity of the injury.
“After the 105-104 play-in loss to Philadelphia, he was more limited as the second half went on,” Spoelstra said of the
player. “He could still move a little bit in the second quarter.” But right now, we’re not sure what. We’ll find out when
we return to Miami.
This is hardly something to cry over. Not if you let one night to decide your entire season. Not with the fortunate
fortune to have had opponent injuries in the last few years (Jason Tatum in Game 7 and Giannis Antetokounmpo in
Game 1 of last year.
