Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler is out with injury

The Miami Heat may have suffered some damage in the first quarter of Friday night's game against the Denver Nuggets.

Miami forward Jimmy Butler left the game with a right ankle sprain. He didn't sit on the bench. He left the court and went straight to the Heat's locker room, where he was examined.

Butler played the first seven minutes of the game and then suddenly came up limping. Miami TV broadcaster Eric Reid announced in the second quarter that it was a sprain. Butler won't be coming back. This was confirmed by a post from the Miami Heat organization on X.

Butler is one of Erik Spoelstra and the Heat organization's favorite players. Miami had a poor start to the season, but Butler still averaged 18.1 points.

Miami may have to play without its star wing for some time. Without him, they were 13-9 last season. Miami also played its first round playoff game against Boston last season without Butler, who was sidelined due to injury.

The Heat will need more offensive production from Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier. Rookie Pelle Larsson has had longer minutes of play. Spoelstra will have to rely on everyone a little more to make up for the absence of Butler.

This is a fluid situation and needs to be updated accordingly.

Scott Salomon is a Miami Heat On SI contributor. He can be reached at [email protected].

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