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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 30: Anthony Davis # 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bam Adebayo # 13 of the Miami Heat battle for a rebound during the first quarter in Game One of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading or using this photograph, user accepts the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images / AFP
ORLANDO, Fla. – Injured Miami Heat stars Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo were listed as doubtful Thursday for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, dealing a serious blow to the franchise’s hopes of leveling the series.
A day after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Heat 116-98 in the first game, Miami’s task became more daunting after the confirmation of Dragic and Adebayo’s injuries.
Dragic has suffered a plantar fascia tear in his left foot, while a scan revealed that Adebayo is suffering from a left side neck strain.
Both are hesitant to play Friday, the Heat said in a statement.
Injuries to Dragic and Adebayo deprive Miami of two of the team’s biggest players on their way to the final.
Miami talisman Jimmy Butler, who twisted an ankle in Wednesday’s attack but is fit to play Friday, said Thursday that he believes the team could bounce back.
“Knowing that we can be a couple guys down, other guys are going to have to step up in a big way,” Butler said. “I’m very, very excited to see how we recover, but I think we are capable of doing it.”
Butler, meanwhile, said he had spoken to a dejected Dragic since the injury, revealing that the Slovenian giant believed he had let his teammates down.
“It’s hard to see him in this position because he cares about the game, he cares about his teammates and he really wants to win,” Butler said.
“You can hear that pain in his voice, of him feeling like he may have let us down, but he didn’t, and I want him to know it.
“He has brought us to this point, and it is our duty to return that to him at this time.”
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he was confident the team had enough depth to remain competitive, noting that the roster had forged close ties within the Orlando bubble.
“At this point, it’s all hands-on, and it’s not like the guys who were potentially sliding into the rotation haven’t played before,” Spoelstra said.
“These guys are confident and have played an important role for us throughout the year. Our depth has been one of our greatest strengths. We have used our depth throughout the year.
“The other benefit of all this is that we have been in this bubble with an additional training ground and everyone has done a great job, regardless of whether they have gotten big minutes in these playoff series.
“We will have to see who is available tomorrow and make the necessary adjustments.”
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