Heat Guard Listed Out For Game 5

The Miami Heat are one game away from reaching the NBA finals. They have dealt with significant injuries throughout the playoffs. Now, they get another blow to their backcourt. Heat guard Gabe Vincent is listed out tonight for game five with an ankle sprain.

Development: Miami's Gabe Vincent is listed out for Game 5 vs. Boston tonight with an ankle sprain.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2023

The Heat have been operating with only two real point guards on the team. Vincent is one of them and the other is Kyle Lowry. Two other guards that could handle the ball have been injured and ruled out since the first round of the postseason. Both Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro sustained injuries in the series against the Bucks.

With the Heat being up 3-1 they can probably get away with losing a guard tonight. However, it will prove extremely difficult if Vincent does not return by game six to continue to get bodies on the court without playing them heavy minutes. Vincent sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of game four. 

Vincent, an undrafted guard, has been a key component and starter for the Heat throughout the playoffs. He has been averaging 13 points per game on nearly 31 minutes played. Now, coach Spoelstra will have to plug in other players to replace the minutes played by Vincent. Lowry is a viable option, but others will have to step up if the Heat want to close out the series tonight. 

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