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UPDATE: Oct. 1, 2:08 p.m. — Dragic is being listed as doubtful to play in Game 2 vs. the Lakers on Friday. Adebayo is also being listed as doubtful. So it seems unlikely the Heat will have two premier starters for Game 2 on Friday.
INJURY UPDATE: Goran Dragic (left foot torn plantar fascia) is listed as doubtful to play in tomorrow's #NBAFinals Game 2 vs the Lakers.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 1, 2020
Bam Adebayo is also listed as doubtful after a MRI revealed a neck strain (left side).
If Dragic is unable to play, we should see Tyler Herro start at SG with Jimmy Butler basically manning the point with Duncan Robinson at SF. With no Adebayo, we’d likely see Kelly Olynyk step into the starting center role and play big minutes. Kendrick Nunn got a lot of run off the bench in Game 1 and he’d likely need to play off the bench, sort of in the role Herro was in.
UPDATE: 12:03 a.m. — Dragic has suffered a torn plantar fascia, per multiple reports. He will be re-evaluated before Game 2 on Friday. I’m not a doctor, but this doesn’t sound like an injury you can play through/return from in the next day or two. Let’s hope Dragic can recover quickly. We’ll see what his status is for Game 2.
Heat guard Goran Dragic has suffered a torn plantar fascia, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. He will continue to be re-evaluated.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 1, 2020
Per Woj, Dragic has been able to put weight on his left foot and hasn’t ruled out a return to the Finals.
Dragic has been able to put pressure on his left foot and hasn't ruled out returning to play in the NBA Finals, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/Ea1LeqncBL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2020
UPDATE: Dragic is going for an X-ray on his left foot after leaving Game 1 in the first half on Wednesday night, per Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. Dragic was just announced as not returning to the game. Same goes for Bam Adebayo. Not good.
Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic is receiving an X-Ray on his left foot, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 1, 2020
Miami Heat PG Goran Dragic is doubtful to return to Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday due to a foot injury. Dragic was seemingly injured during the first half and Tyler Herro started the second half in his place. The Heat are down big after leading by 13 points early in the first quarter.
The Heat are currently in a 20-point hole and are likely down their starting PG the rest of the game, so this is looking #notgood. Dragic had 6 points and 3 assists in 15 minutes in the first half. Jimmy Butler also appeared to roll his ankle at the end of the second quarter, so he’s likely not operating at 100% right now either.
With Dragic looking to be out the rest of the game, Butler will do most of the ball-handling at PG. Herro will play SG and Duncan Robinson will be a de-facto SF with Jae Crowder at PF in this lineup. The Lakers will likely just throw the quick, small-ball lineup at the Heat. The Lakers shooting is on fire right now and it’s not like the Heat have any way to stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It’s safe to say this Game 1 might be over for Miami and we’re barely into the third quarter.
With Dragic out, the Heat have used Kendrick Nunn, who was a regular in the starting lineup during the regular season. He’s playing well in garbage time with 9 points in 10 minutes and could be a candidate to step into a larger role if Dragic is out for Game 2 on Friday.