The Miami Heat have designs on returning to the playoffs in 2017-18. To pull that off, they’re going to need star center Hassan Whiteside in the middle, controlling the paint. Unfortunately for the Heat, though, a knee injury has kept Whiteside sideline for all but the season-opener against the Orlando Magic.
Whiteside was back on the court for the Heat at yesterday’s practice session, and is apparently ready to suit up for tonight’s home game against the Chicago Bulls (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass). Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has more:
Hassan Whiteside participated in today’s Miami Heat shootaround at AmericanAirlines Arena, making the center’s return likely in tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls after a five-game absence.
“He’s going to show up at the arena with the intention to play,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Whiteside has been sidelined with a bone bruise on his left knee sustained in the season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center, with the Heat 2-3 in his absence.
Whiteside worked in 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills at Tuesday’s practice and then was on the court for Wednesday morning’s game-day walkthrough.
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With Whiteside back, it again will allow the Heat to dress the NBA-maximum 13 players on game night.
The Heat remain without forward Rodney McGruder, who underwent leg surgery last month that could sideline him for the season. In addition, A.J. Hammons, Derrick Walton Jr. and Matt Williams Jr. are on developmental-league assignment with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The Heat have utilized first-round Bam Adebayo as the replacement starter at center the past three games, after going with offseason free-agent acquisition Jordan Mickey in that role in the first two games of Whiteside’s absence.
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