Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) grabs the loose ball while defended by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA game at Kaseya Center on March 25, 2025, in Miami. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
While the Miami Heat might be getting one of its best players back from injury for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors at Kaseya Center, the Warriors could be missing a few of its best players.
Heat three-time All-Star center Bam Adebayo said Tuesday that he’s “optimistic” he will be able to play on Wednesday after missing six consecutive games because of a left big toe sprain. Adebayo is listed as questionable on the injury report.
But on the second night of a back-to-back set following Tuesday night’s 121-113 loss to the Magic in Orlando, the Warriors will be short-handed. The question is how short-handed will the Warriors be?
After the Warriors’ leading trio of Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green played on Tuesday against the Magic, Curry has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game in Miami because of right ankle soreness.
Butler (low back strain) and Green (illness) are questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Heat.
Also for the Warriors, Buddy Hield (illness) is questionable. And Al Horford (left toe injury management), Jonathan Kuminga (bilateral knee patellar tendonitis) and De’Anthony Melton (left ACL surgery) have been ruled out for Golden State.
Not only does Wednesday mark the back end of a back-to-back set for the Warriors, but it also marks Golden State’s third game in four nights. It’s also the end of a long six-game trip that began on Nov. 11 in Oklahoma City and the end of a brutal 12-game stretch that included 10 on the road.
“The Miami game will be our 17th game in 29 days in 13 different cities,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said during a recent radio interview. “It’s been the toughest early schedule I’ve ever been a part of in my entire NBA life.”
If Butler is ruled out for Wednesday’s contest, he would miss the Warriors’ lone game in Miami this regular season against his former team after the Heat traded him to the Warriors in February. It would mark Butler’s second game back in Miami since the trade, as the Warriors and Butler lost to the Heat 112-86 on March 25 last season at Kaseya Center.
Butler, 36, is averaging 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 53.5% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range in 15 games this season. Wednesday would mark only the second game he has missed this season, with the other also coming on the second night of a back-to-back.
Butler’s departure from the Heat last season was ugly, as there was a trade request, three suspensions without pay issued by the Heat and an airing of grievances against each other along the way before the Feb. 6 trade.
While the Heat could be getting Adebayo back on Wednesday, Myron Gardner (G League), Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), Kasparas Jakucionis (G League) and Terry Rozier (not with team) remain out for Miami against Golden State.
Heat forward Nikola Jovic was added to the injury report on Wednesday afternoon, as he’s listed as questionable for the contest because of right hip impingement.