Early in the NBA's 2021-22 season, the Miami Heat have proved themselves to be one of the league's frontrunners and Jimmy Butler's MVP-caliber level of play is a huge reason for that.
He ranks third in the league as per ESPN's Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and fourth as per NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate (PIE).
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He left the Heat's game against the Lakers in Los Angeles early with an ankle injury. What's the status on the 32-year-old and the severity of his injury?
Sporting News has you covered with the latest:
What is Jimmy Butler's injury?
Jimmy Butler left the game after playing all 12 minutes of the first quarter. He appeared to sprain his right ankle around the 1:19 mark of the first quarter after injuring it in a lock-up with Lakers guard Wayne Ellington.
Closer to halftime, the Heat made it official that the All-Star would not be returning to the game.
Here's what we know about the Jimmy Butler ankle sprain.@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/nMdE7trIRs
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 11, 2021
At the time he left the game, Butler had posted seven points, two steals and an assist.
How long is Jimmy Butler ruled out?
Other than what the Miami Heat have made official - right ankle sprain, there is nothing more known about Butler's status.
#MIAvsLAL INJURY UPDATE: Jimmy Butler left tonight's game with a sprained right ankle and will not return.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 11, 2021
Even if the injury is mildly serious, it would be safe to expect Butler to miss the team's next game, which is against the Clippers in LA in less than 24 hours.
This Lakers game is the second of a five-game Western Conference road trip for the Heat. Having played in Denver and after these games at the STAPLES Center, Miami travel to Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City.
Stay tuned to this page for the latest on Jimmy Butler's status and how long he might be ruled out.
What is Jimmy Butler's recent injury history?
Jimmy Butler is one of the most durable players in the league with no real serious injury sidelining him for a substantial duration over the course of his career so far.
So far during the 2021-22 season, he had played in every one of the Heat's 10 games averaging a career-high 25.3 points along with 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals on 53.0 percent shooting from the field.
