Butler out for Heat after spraining right ankle vs Lakers

Updated Nov. 10, 2021 11:37 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jimmy Butler will miss the final three quarters of the Miami Heat's game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a sprained right ankle.

Butler scored seven points while playing the entire first quarter Wednesday night, but the Heat ruled him out for the rest of the game.

Butler began the night averaging 25.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists while playing in every game this season for Miami. The five-time All-Star selection was the NBA's 11th-leading scorer.

Butler joined a lengthy injury list for both teams in this showdown between marquee franchises that also met in the 2020 NBA Finals.

The Lakers had just 10 players in uniform without LeBron James (abdominal strain), Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (hamstring). Talen Horton-Tucker, Trevor Ariza and former Heat guard Kendrick Nunn have yet to play for Los Angeles this season due to injuries.

Miami also was without Markieff Morris, who has whiplash from his confrontation with Denver star Nikola Jokic on Monday. Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and P.J. Tucker all played through minor injuries.

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