Inside The Heat

Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love's Injury Status Updated For Tonight Vs Lakers

Jake Elman

Dec 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts to an officiating call in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts to an officiating call in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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After being listed as questionable earlier in the day, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love are available for Wednesday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Butler missed Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics with right knee soreness. He is averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Love was dealing with back spasms.

Injuries have limited Butler in recent weeks. He missed four games last month with an ankle problem. 

Miami started Jaime Jaquez and Haywood Highsmith at the forward spots Monday night. Jaquez recorded 19 points on 5 of 14 shooting. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and three assists in the 108-89 defeat.

“When guys go down, it’s our job to step up and try to fill in those gaps,” Jaquez said. “Coming into this game, I knew I had to be aggressive, which was my mentality.”

Highsmith tallied 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds. 

WARE TO G LEAGUE

Rookie center Kel’el Ware will report to the G League and suit up for the Sioux Falls Skyforce later this week.

Ware, the 15th pick in June’s draft, averages 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He hasn’t played since last Wednesday’s road victory over the Hornets.

The Skyforce host the Windy City Bulls (Chicago’s G-League affiliate) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN+.

This story will be updated.

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Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.

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Jake Elman
JAKE ELMAN

Jake Elman is a veteran sports journalist and graduate of Florida Atlantic University’s journalism program. In recent years, he has covered the NFL for EndGame360 and served as the sports content lead for ExpressVPN. He also covered the Lane Kiffin years at FAU for the Palm Beach Post.