Heat center Hassan Whiteside day-to-day with sprained right knee
MIAMI – Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is day-to-day with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, but the Heat did not reveal the severity of the sprain, making it difficult to project how much time he will miss.
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry sustained a grade 1 MCL sprain April 24 against the Houston Rockets, and the team said Curry would be re-evaluated in two weeks. Curry hasn’t played since the injury.
Whiteside sustained the injury in the second quarter of Toronto’s 95-91 victory in Game 3 on Saturday. The Heat’s chances of winning the series decline without Whiteside on the court.
Washington guard John Wall missed no games, and Dallas guard Deron William missed one game with MCL sprains this season but those are exceptions, according to certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts.
Stotts said the average time missed for low grade sprains is about 15 days. Grade 2 sprains are more problematic with an average missed time of six weeks, according to Stotts’ injury database.
Whiteside had six points and no rebounds when left the game. Coming into Game 3, Whiteside averaged 12.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in nine playoff games. With Whiteside on the floor in the postseason, the Heat allowed 95.8 points per 100 possessions.
Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas is out for the remainder of the series with a sprained ankle.