Jimmy Butler: “I feel all right”. Erik Spoelstra: “I probably shouldn’t have said that”

Jimmy Butler leads Miami Heat to victory in Game 3 of playoffs against Knicks with 28 points after missing Game 2 due to a sprained right ankle. “I feel all right,” Butler said when asked about his condition and preparations for Game 3. “A lot of recovery and making sure I can move went into it for sure. I’ve got a great team behind me that people don’t see, who are always there for me and making sure I have everything I need off the court to recover.”

There was a brief moment of concern for Heat fans late in the third quarter. Butler collided with the basket support and hobbled back up the court. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told ESPN during the interview between the third and fourth quarters that Butler had injured his thigh. However, after the game, Spoelstra said Butler was fine.

“I probably shouldn’t have said that,” Spoelstra admitted postgame. “He’s fine. He’s not even icing that part of it. It was one of those little stingers that you just need three plays, and it wears off.”