Why is Jimmy Butler not playing today against Boston Celtics? Heat star's latest injury update for Game 1 (April 21)

Jimmy Butler will not play in Game 1 of the Miami Heat's 2024 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Butler also missed Friday's 112-91 play-in tournament win over the Atlanta Hawks. The former All-Star forward suffered an MCL sprain in Wednesday's 105-104 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Butler suffered the injury in the first half but returned to play the final 24 minutes. However, he was evidently not 100%, resulting in a 19-point outing on 5 of 18 shooting. MRIs revealed that Butler had suffered a sprained MCL ligament, which will need at least four weeks to heal.

Butler will miss the entire first-round series against the Boston Celtics and likely return midway through the second round should the Heat advance. However, without Butler, that remains an unlikely proposition. The Celtics are in a different league this year, winning 64 games, seven more than the second and third-best teams in the NBA.

Miami beat the No. 1 seeded Milwaukee in the first round and then the No. 2 seeded Celtics in the conference finals last year, but it required a miraculous playoff run from Jimmy Butler.

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What happened to Jimmy Butler?

Jimmy Butler suffered a right knee injury in Wednesday's play-in tournament game between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers toward the end of the first quarter. Butler broke away for an open layup before he stopped as Kelly Oubre Jr. and another Sixers defender approached him. Butler pump-faked Oubre, who came down and landed on his knee.

Butler fell to the floor and grimaced in pain, holding his knee. He returned to make two free throws and played the rest of the way with a torn MCL ligament.

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How to watch Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics?

ABC will broadcast the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game nationally. Bally Sports Sun and NBC Sports Boston will provide local coverage. Fans abroad can catch the contest online via NBA League Pass. Tipoff is at 1:00 PM ET at TD Garden, the Celtics' home floor.

The Celtics are the overwhelming favorites to win, with a -1124 money line and a -14 spread. Jimmy Butler's absence has contributed to the lopsided odds in favor of the C's, who dismantled the Heat 3-0 in their season series.