The Miami Heat face a significant challenge as they head into Wednesday’s NBA playoff elimination game against the Boston Celtics without rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., sidelined due to a strained right hip flexor.
Jaquez did not accompany the team to Boston, adding to a growing list of injuries that includes key players Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck). Josh Richardson also remains out following shoulder surgery.
Jaquez was injured during Game 4 on Monday night, a 102-88 loss to the Celtics, causing him to be ruled out for the remainder of the game.
“I just felt something, felt something give in the hip, and we’ll take it day by day as of now,” Jaquez said. “It was really just my hip, my right hip. I felt something give at the beginning of the third quarter going up for a rebound. I tried to get back in there, tried to give it everything I had.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jaime Jaquez, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics Updates
Despite efforts to continue playing, Jaquez left the game having scored nine points in 22 minutes. Further tests on Tuesday confirmed the severity of his injury.
Jaquez, likely to be named to the All-Rookie team after his season at UCLA, has been a critical component in Miami’s playoff efforts. He has started all four games in the series, averaging 12.8 points, and ranks among the team’s most utilized players in minutes played.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jaime Jaquez, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics Updates
With the series at 3-1 in favor of Boston, Miami’s depleted lineup faces daunting odds. The absence of Butler and Rozier is already a significant blow, and limitations due to Duncan Robinson’s back issue further challenge the Heat as they strive to extend their playoff run.
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