Why isn’t Bam Adebayo playing for the Heat against the Hornets on Friday in the NBA Emirates Cup?

The Miami Heat get their NBA Emirates Cup campaign underway against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, but their hopes of a strong start have taken a hit after Bam Adebayo was ruled out with a toe injury.

Adebayo sidelined after early exit against Nuggets

In a statement on X on Thursday, the Heat said: “An MRI has revealed that Bam Adebayo has a left big toe sprain. He has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s game vs. Charlotte.”

The center’s absence doesn’t come as a major surprise after he exited Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets late in the first quarter and did not return. Miami eventually fell 122-112, with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way for Denver.

When will Bam Adebayo be back?

In a follow-up post on X, the Heat noted that Adebayo’s status is “day-to-day,” raising hopes he could return for the home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, November 8. If not, he may be back for the matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, November 10.

Miami’s NBA Cup schedule

As well as facing the Hornets, the Heat will take on the New York Knicks (November 14), the Chicago Bulls (November 21) and the Milwaukee Bucks (November 26) in East Group C of the NBA Emirates Cup.

After each team has played four games, the group winner advances to the knockout stage, along with the highest-ranked second-place team from each conference.

Heat’s form slipping after strong start

Following three straight wins against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Knicks and the Hornets, the Heat have dropped three of their last four games. They now sit at 4-4 for the season, in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

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