It’s been a difficult seven-game stretch for star Miami Heat big Bam Adebayo. Through heading into Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, they may be without him entirely.
According to the NBA’s injury report (~11:45 a.m. EST), Adebayo was downgraded from questionable to doubtful with lower back soreness. At this time of publishing, he’s still not listed as out, but one could assume it will be heading in that direction prior to the game’s 7:00 p.m. tip off.
Health has been an issue for the Heat this season, with Tyler Herro expected to miss his 25th game on Friday. Should Adebayo miss it as well, this will be his seventh missed contest of the year. Despite the rebounding falling off the map, Miami is 4-2 in those games with wins over the Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
For the season, Adebayo is averaging 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists, shooting 46.6 percent from the floor with a 56.0 true-shooting percentage. However, over his last seven games, he’s averaging just 13.6 points on 48.0 percent true shooting.
“I got to figure it out,” Adebayo said after the Heat’s 13-point loss to Boston. “I don’t know about anybody else but me accepting accountability. I’ve got to be better. I’m letting my team down. It’s going to shift. It’s going to shift. I’ve been through these times before.”
By now, we know the three-time All-Star to provide way more value than just scoring. Though his defense has slightly dipped of late, at least against smaller guards/wings. He’s still the team’s most impactful rebounder, but will need to provide more upon returning.
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Bam needs to take off a few mental health days. His mind doesn’t seem like it is on his job. Maybe he is pre-occupied because a Giannis trade is closer than we think.