NBA All-Star ahead Jimmy Butler missed the Miami Warmth’s final recreation in opposition to the Sacramento Kings. He’ll proceed to be sidelined when the workforce takes on the Indiana Pacers on the street.
Butler was a surprisingly late scratch in opposition to the Kings. Miami knowledgeable the media earlier than the sport that “Jimmy Buckets” was coping with hip soreness. He is not going to journey with the workforce to proceed his remedy in South Florida.
In eight video games this season, he has been the Miami Warmth’s main scorer with 21.5 factors and likewise tops the workforce in steals with 1.5. He provides 6.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists below a team-high 35.5 minutes.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra inserted Caleb Martin into the lineup in Butler’s absence. Whereas Martin did an honest job, the Warmth clearly missed Butler’s all-around excellence. Miami relied on Tyler Herro’s buzzer-beating three-point shot to win the sport and enhance their document to 4-5.
In the meantime, former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons may also proceed to take a seat out for the Brooklyn Nets. He performed within the workforce’s first six video games earlier than he was abruptly faraway from the roster in opposition to the Indiana Pacers attributable to an ailing knee.
Simmons wasn’t additionally round in Brooklyn’s match in opposition to the Chicago Bulls at dwelling, the place they blew a large lead. The Australian hasn’t been enjoying to his former NBA All-Star requirements and has been closely criticized for his lack of aggression.
The previous NBA Rookie of the 12 months winner is averaging career-low numbers in scoring, rebounding, steals, field-goal proportion and minutes performed. Ben Simmons’ beforehand elite protection has been lacking since his return.
Simmons, who many predicted to turn out to be the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months earlier than his troubles started, hasn’t had the anticipated influence on protection. The Nets are useless final within the league in Defensive Ranking.
Brandon Ingram: Concussion; Injured since October 23, 2022
Brandon Ingram performed solely 11 minutes within the New Orleans Pelicans’ home-opening loss in additional time to the Utah Jazz. He confirmed concussion-like signs after colliding with teammate Naji Marshall.
Ingram missed the Pelicans’ final 4 video games, together with a nail-biting loss in one other additional time to NBA celebrity LeBron James and the LA Lakers.
The previous All-Star is placing up 22.0 factors in career-high taking pictures numbers. Ingram’s 57.9% taking pictures from the sphere, together with 57.1% from past the arc, is considerably higher than he’s ever averaged in his NBA profession.
The New Orleans Pelicans have upgraded him to possible from questionable. Brandon Ingram, nevertheless, has cleared concussion protocols and is predicted to play in opposition to the Golden State Warriors.
The Pelicans, who’ve unsurprisingly struggled with out him, will likely be completely happy to welcome him again in opposition to the slumping defending NBA champs.
Seth Curry; Left ankle; Injured since October 29, 2022
Seth Curry underwent an low season ankle process and didn’t make his NBA debut this season with the Brooklyn Nets till October 29. Curry got here off the bench and missed all of his field-goal makes an attempt. He did have six assists with out committing a single turnover.
Curry’s offense will likely be badly wanted for the struggling Nets, notably with out the suspended Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn might make use of his 46.8% taking pictures from rainbow distance final season. Even when Joe Harris and Patty Mills play, the Nets will want all of the scoring assist they may give to Kevin Durant.
The Brooklyn Nets have missed Curry’s providers during the last two video games. He is listed as questionable however may play in restricted minutes if given the clearance to assist the embattled workforce.