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Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler is reportedly expected to be ruled "out multiple weeks" amid fears of an MCL injury he experienced during his team's Play-In Tournament game loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday (April 17), sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the Athletic's Shams Charania Thursday (April 18) morning.
"The expectation is Miami's Jimmy Butler will be out multiple weeks, sources said. Butler remarkably played the final three quarters vs. 76ers last night with what is now feared to be an MCL injury," Charania wrote on his X account.
Butler, 34, suffered the injury during the final play of the first quarter while attempting to score on a fastbreak layup. The six-time All-Star attempted to fake out Sixers swingman Kelly Oubre Jr., but appeared to have his knee buckle after Oubre landed on it.
"I fell, he landed and my knee just didn't do well, I guess," Butler said, confirming he was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, via ESPN. "I don't know. It's not a good feeling, I can tell you that."
Butler got back to his feet after the play, split two free throws and remained in the game, but was limited to 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting, while the Heat offense blew a 12-point halftime lead to lose 105-104. Miami will face the Chicago Bulls for the final No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs on Friday (April 19).