When the face an elimination game in Boston on Wednesday night, they’ll be missing another key player. Rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. won’t be with the team due to a strained right hip flexor.
This adds to the list of sidelined starters, including Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck), along with Josh Richardson, who’s been out for months after shoulder surgery.
Jaquez Jr. had to leave Game 4 against the Celtics after injuring his hip in the second half. Despite his efforts to play through it, tests on Tuesday revealed the seriousness of the injury.
He’s been a consistent presence in the series, starting all four games and averaging 12.8 points. Only Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin have logged more minutes for Miami against the Celtics.
The Heat have faced challenges throughout the series, never fully healthy. Boston currently leads 3-1 and could advance to the second round with a win on Wednesday.
In addition to Jaquez’s absence, Butler and Rozier haven’t played, and Duncan Robinson has been limited by a back issue, averaging just about 10 minutes per game.
