Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet shoots between Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler (22) and Tyler Herro (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, August 3, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (AP Photo / Ashley Landis, Pool )
The Miami Heat will be without All-Star Jimmy Butler and point guard Kendrick Nunn when the team rebels against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, the Miami Herald reports.
Butler has missed two league games with foot pain, and the Heat have gone 6-7 without him this season. He averages 20.2 points, 6.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Nunn left the team and the bubble on Friday for personal reasons.
Meanwhile, the status of former Suns point guard and sixth key man Goran Dragic remains pending for the Heat.
Dragic scored 20 points against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday but sprained his ankle. He wanted to try and test his injury on Friday night.
The Suns, who have won their first four bubble games, could benefit from playing a team with less than 100%. They likely have to win three or all four of their remaining seed matches to earn a play-in seat for the playoffs.
Miami split its first four games in the Orlando bubble. Without Butler, the Heat beat the Celtics 112-106 on Tuesday before a 130-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dragic was not available against Milwaukee, allowing the Bucks to target young Miami big Bam Adebayo in a 2 for 10 shooting match. The Heat still score points, with sniper Duncan Robinson going to 21 points and the guard of reserve Tyler Herro who added 20 while manager Erik Spoelstra maintained a rotation of nine players.
As for the health of the Suns, general manager James Jones on Bickley & Marotta of Arizona Sports did not disclose any new information on the status of winger Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and center Aron Baynes (conditioning), who have not played but remain with the Orlando team.
Jones only said he was “confident” that the duo could return at some point in the bubble.
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