Heat Vs Warriors Injury Report: Massive Update on 5x All-Star Could Topple Dubs With Rockets Lurking Around

The Miami Heat are set to face off against the Golden State Warriors within the next few hours. Both teams are currently on the edge of qualifying for the playoffs, with the Heat being just three wins away. Therefore, the franchise will be looking to make the best use of their offensive lineup. For quite some time now, however, an important player from that category has been absent in light of a major ankle injury. For fans who were hoping for the player’s availability during this final stage of the regular season, the latest Injury Report seems to have brought with it unfortunate news.

A few hours ago, sports reporter Anthony Chiang took to his official X account to share the recent developments listed in the Injury Report. The most major amongst them was the fact that 5x NBA All-Star Kevin Love has been shifted from the “questionable” category to the “out,” alongside Jimmy Butler. This means that the 35-year-old’s power forward’s 13-game hiatus, out of which the Heat lost 7, continues to persist.

Along with the update on Love, Winderman also highlighted that Tyler Herro (foot), Duncan Robinson (back) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) have been declared “out” from the upcoming matchup. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle), and Caleb Martin (ankle) have been placed in the ‘questionable category’.

Bam Adebayo, the third-highest leading scorer for the Heat this season, had been dealing with a lower back contusion for quite some time now. He was cleared during the Heat’s previous matchup against the Cavaliers and once again has been made “available” to take on Stephen Curry and his co. Alondes Williams, who only played two games for the Heat this season, may make an appearance either in the main lineup or on the benches.

From the Golden State Warriors’ side, Trayce Jackson-Davis has been placed as ‘questionable’ for the upcoming game. This would prove as a disadvantage for the Warriors, as the rookie had recently been making headlines over his emergence as a tough offensive player.

How has Bam Adebayo performed against the Warriors?

Kevin Love’s availability would have played a big role in replenishing the offensive lineup of the Heat. However, looking at his previous record against the Warriors, Bam Adebayo’s presence would play a much bigger role in breaking the defensive lineup that would be set by Draymond Green and the other Warriors’ defensive players.

During the 478 games that Adebayo has played for the Heat, he has faced off against the Warriors 12 times. The first 5 matchups were nothing short of disappointing, as the player only averaged 6.6 points in them. However, there has been a drastic rise in his performance since then, as Adebayo has averaged a jaw-dropping 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5 assists during the rest. His average during the last 7 games against the Warriors is almost on par with that of Jimmy Butler, the team’s highest-average scorer.

Adebayo’s performance the last time both teams faced off was commendable enough. While he scored 17 points, he also scored 11 rebounds, an effort that helped the Heat win by 12 points. The Houston Rockets themselves are just one win away from pushing Curry’s team down to the 11th seed and dissolving the latter’s chances of reaching the playoffs once and for all. Only time will tell whether they will be able to hold their own against Curry and Adebayo.

READ MORE: “Imagine if Bam (Adebayo) Played With Lebron”: Anthony Davis Scrutinized Again, as He Gets Compared to 26YO Heat Star