Bam Adebayo listed as "doubtful" again for Game 3 of NBA Finals

On3 imageby:Zack Geoghegan10/04/20

ZGeogheganKSR

(@MiamiHEAT)

The Miami Heat need Bam Adebayo in the worst way.

After dropping the first two games of the 2020 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami is facing a possible 3-0 hole when they play Game 3 later on Sunday. Adebayo was ruled out of Game 2 and did not play in the 124-114 loss after suffering a neck strain in Game 1, and his status for Game 3 is currently listed as “doubtful”.

Adebayo has battled a series of shoulder and wrist injuries throughout the playoffs, most recently injuring himself against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. During the third quarter of Game 1 in the Finals, he exited the floor after clearly doing something to his shoulder/neck area. The former Wildcat finished with eight points and four rebounds in 21 minutes before heading for the locker room.

He told Yahoo Sports reporter Chris Haynes on Saturday that he planned on making his return in Game 3, but the injury report does not yet reflect that: “Yes, I believe I’ll be in the lineup,” Adebayo said, according to Haynes. “I’m feeling better. I believe I’ll play.”

Miami actually performed much better in Game 2 despite the absence of Adebayo and starting point guard Goran Dragic, who is also dealing with an injury and is doubtful for Game 3. Tyler Herro and Kelly Olynyk stepped up for the Heat in spite of the loss and will need to do the same again in Game 3 if the team’s stars aren’t ready to go.

Game 3 is scheduled to tipoff later on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC.

UPDATE (5:46 p.m.)

Adebayo will NOT play in Game 3, the team says.

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2024-03-28