NBA Christmas Day Games: Butler and Embiid Sidelined Due to Injuries
2 min read
The NBA’s Christmas Day games featured a thrilling matchup between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the Heat’s star player, Jimmy Butler, was ruled out due to a calf strain, joining the 76ers’ Joel Embiid, who was already out with an ankle sprain. Both players were unable to participate in the highly anticipated game.
Butler had previously missed two games due to his calf injury, and his absence was a significant blow to the Heat’s lineup. In addition to Butler, Haywood Highsmith was ruled out due to a non-COVID illness, and Josh Richardson was sidelined due to back spasms.
On the other side, the 76ers were already missing Embiid, who had sprained his ankle during their previous game against the Toronto Raptors. Nicolas Batum was also out due to a hamstring injury, leaving the team short-handed.
In the absence of these key players, Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre were expected to start for the 76ers, while the Heat planned to keep their starting five from the previous games: Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Bam Adebayo.
The NBA’s Christmas Day games are always highly anticipated, and the absence of Butler and Embiid certainly added an element of uncertainty to the matchup. Despite the injuries, both teams showcased their talent and determination, making for an exciting game for fans.
In conclusion, the NBA’s Christmas Day games featured a thrilling matchup between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers, with both teams facing significant injuries to key players. The absence of Butler and Embiid added an element of uncertainty to the game, but both teams showcased their talent and determination, making for an exciting and memorable event.
