“Cautious Optimism” On Heat’s Kyle Lowry Injury

When the Miami Heat's Kyle Lowry exited Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks with a hamstring injury, the Heat were on a big run, and went into the 4th quarter with a big lead. That all evaporated with a frantic Hawks' comeback and a victory to close the series to 2-1 Miami. 

Lowry's absence was certainly a factor, and his loss for any extended period could be a problem for the Heat. 

But there's "cautious optimism from those around Lowry that the hamstring injury is not serious," according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Lowry was seen walking under his own power, but with a limp, to the team bus after the game. 

Dave McMenamin of ESPN says Lowry did practice on Saturday, but was walking "gingerly". 

Kyle Lowry is not participating in Heat practice today at State Farm Arena. He left the court in a sweat suit accompanied by a trainer, still walking gingerly with that left hamstring issue. The Heat have not submitted their injury report for Sunday’s Game 4 to the NBA yet.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 23, 2022

Lowry is day-to-day, but he himself says he's monitoring his situation "hourly." 

Replacements for Lowry, if he's unable to play Game 4 Sunday night, would be backup guard Gabe Vincent, or 6th man Tyler Herro.  

As far as depth, Victor Oladipo could be added to the rotation, as he has yet to play a single minute in the series' first three games. However, Jimmy Butler could have something to say about that. 

Photo Credit:  Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports