The Miami Heat came out on fire to start Game 1 of the NBA Finals, at one point holding a 13-point lead in the first quarter, but the Lakers swiftly erased that lead and managed to exit the first with a three-point advantage. From there, things only got worse for Miami as the Lakers were unstoppable offensively and ran out to a 17-point halftime advantage.
To make matters worse, the Heat saw two of their best players suffer injuries. Jimmy Butler rolled his left ankle late in the second quarter, but managed to stay in the game. Goran Dragic played just 15 minutes in the first half before he exited, and the team announced in the third quarter that he was doubtful to return due to a left foot injury.
#MIAvsLAL INJURY UPDATE: Goran Dragic (left foot) is doubtful to return to tonight’s #NBAFinals game vs the Lakers.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 1, 2020
It’s unclear exactly when the injury happened — ESPN showed a play in which he appeared to step on Rajon Rondo’s foot in the second quarter — but it’s a huge blow to a Miami team that struggled mightily to create offense in his absence. Dragic has averaged 20.9 points per game in the playoffs and his elevated play has been a significant reason for the Heat’s run through the Eastern Conference to the Finals. A comeback in Game 1 seems unlikely, particularly if Dragic is unable to return, but maybe more important will be the status of Dragic and Butler’s health moving forward as they desperately need both to be able to play major minutes to have a chance with the Lakers.