Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra gives update on Bam Adebayo

Erik Spoelstra gives an update on Bam Adebayo's hip injury.

The Miami Heat have been plagued with injuries to start the season. They have had 14 different starting lineups in 22 games, and Jimmy Butler called the team's start "mediocre."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says he doesn't have a timetable for Bam Adebayo's return before Monday's night matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.

Spo: Bam Adebayo (hip) without timetable for return.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) December 11, 2023

That isn't the news anyone wanted to hear because the Heat are now 12-10, falling to ninth in the Eastern Conference. The good news is that it's still early, and they have plenty of time to get healthy. 

The Heat want to avoid the play-in again and over-exerting Butler in the regular season. The injuries to Adebayo and Tyler Herro have put the Heat in a bind there.

Adebayo was off to a hot start on both ends of the court before the injury. He was averaging 22.2 points and ten rebounds while anchoring the Heat defense. 

This isn't Adebayo's first time dealing with a hip injury. Last March, he had a similar issue. He suffered this hip injury on October 28th after taking a hard fall in the loss to Minnesota. 

Adebayo was with the team during shootaround today in Charlotte. So, the Heat may be cautious with the injury, and it's understandable. 

Bam Adebayo putting up shots after shootaround today in Charlotte. Adebayo is again out tonight with a hip contusion. pic.twitter.com/tfEfccgxK1

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) December 11, 2023

The Heat have bigger aspirations than just winning a few games in the playoffs. They have gotten significant contributions from the bench and look like a team built for another deep playoff run.

In the meantime, the Heat will have to keep finding ways to stay afloat. 

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Devin Brown is a contributing writer to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at dbrwnjr@gmail.com or Twitter @dbrwnjr.