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The Miami Heat has listed Gabe Vincent as questionable for Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals on Monday night. Vincent missed Game 5 after rolling his left ankle but was cleared to play in Game 6. Everyone, including the former undrafted player, expects him to be in uniform for the winner-take-all encounter.
Miami’s starting point guard showed no effects of the injury against the Celtics in his last game. He played 41 minutes and finished with 15 points on 6-for-18 shooting, including 3-for-6 from behind the arc.
Boston’s pace, which has caused the Heat problems over the past three games, didn’t seem to affect Gabe Vincent on defense. His pick-and-roll defense remained stout, even when pitted against bigger players such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Vincent’s presence will be key for the Miami Heat as they desperately try to end a three-game losing streak and enter the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have upgraded Malcolm Brogdon to questionable for Game 7. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year this season was a late scratch in Game 6 due to a right forearm strain.
Brogdon hasn’t been himself due to the injury. His best performance was in Game 1 when he had 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 2-for-4 from behind the arc. It was all downhill from there.
The reigning NBA Eastern Conference champs won games 4 and 5 without Malcolm Brogdon. Grant Williams has played well with the minutes available due to Brogdon’s injury. Brogdon, though, would still be an important piece, if available, due to his playmaking and ability to get to the rim.
Tyler Herro: Right-hand surgery, injured since April 16
Tyler Herro broke his right hand in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. He had surgery on Apr. 21 and was expected to be out for at least six weeks.
A week ago, he was cleared by Miami doctors to engage in noncontact basketball activities. He was seen shooting before the Heat started their warmups in the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Although the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner has started shooting and dribbling, he looks far from ready to play. According to reports, many in the Heat camp are not confident the team will see Herro again this season.
The Miami Heat have sorely missed his playmaking and shooting, particularly in their three straight losses. Herro would have been invaluable in Game 7 as well.
Victor Oladipo: Left knee surgery, injured since April 23
Two games after losing Tyler Herro to a hand injury, the Miami Heat were dealt another blow. They lost guard Victor Oladipo to a serious knee injury to the same left knee that has troubled him over the past years.
The surgery on April 26 was the third in the past four years. He is expected to be out for six months. The two-time NBA All-Star has a player option next season, so it remains to be seen if he will be in a Heat uniform.
Oladipo’s injury has opened up minutes for Caleb Martin, who has been having a superb NBA ECF.
