The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are set to clash tonight at State Farm Arena for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and a first-round series against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Both teams head into the elimination game with notable names on their respective injury reports, potentially impacting the outcome of the high-stakes contest.
For Miami, guard Alec Burks (lower back discomfort), forward Haywood Highsmith (left Achilles soreness), and wing Duncan Robinson (left sacroiliac joint dysfunction) are all listed as available.
Nikola Jovic is officially questionable with a broken right hand, while rookie Pelle Larsson is also questionable due to a right ankle sprain.
Veteran big man Kevin Love remains questionable as he continues to undergo return-to-competition reconditioning.
On the other side, Atlanta will be without several key contributors.
Clint Capela is ruled out with a left fourth metacarpal ligament sprain, joining Jalen Johnson and Kobe Bufkin on the sideline—both recovering from shoulder surgeries.
Larry Nance Jr. is also unavailable due to a fracture in his right medial femoral condyle, thinning out the Hawks’ frontcourt depth even further.
Trae Young is listed as probable with right Achilles tendinitis and is expected to play barring any setbacks.
The regular season series between these teams ended in a 2-2 split, with each side winning both of its home games.
Miami won the most recent two meetings, including a 131-109 blowout at Kaseya Center and a 122-112 victory in the rematch.
The Heat advanced to this game by eliminating the Chicago Bulls in a convincing 109-90 win in the 9 vs. 10 Play-In matchup.
Atlanta fell to Orlando in the 7 vs. 8 game, suffering a 120-95 defeat on the road.
