Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside was forced to leave the game against the Phoenix Suns before it ended, as he cut his hand. Whiteside suffered the cut while going up for a block and hitting backboard with his hand. As a result, the 27-year-old center received 13 stitches on his hand that was bleeding during the game.
Whiteside said that he intends to play in the next game, but it is uncertain if his hand will recover quickly enough for him to do it. The Miami Heat will host the Toronto Raptors Thursday night and they will end their five-game home stand with this game.
Hassan Whiteside suffered the same injury two years ago
The Miami Heat big man is not exactly the luckiest person when it comes to injuries, as he has had his fair share of them throughout his career. It is interesting that Hassan Whiteside suffered the very same Injury in March two years ago, as he cut his hand on a similar play. The big man was trying to block a shot, but his block attempt resulted in a hand injury and he had to receive ten stitches after the game.
Two years ago, Whiteside missed three games because of the cut on his hand, but the Miami Heat hope that that won't be the case this time.
Miami Heat cannot afford to lose Whiteside
The Miami Heat have a tough schedule after their home stand as they will go on the road for three straight games.
All three of those games will be hard as they will face the Boston Celtics, who are the second seed in the East, then they will have back-to-back games against the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks. The Heat are only one game ahead of the Pistons and it will be a tough game that could determine which team will make the playoffs.
Without Hassan Whiteside, the Heat will undoubtedly struggle, especially against the Pistons who have a superstar center in Andre Drummond.
INJURY UPDATE: Hassan Whiteside says he intends to play tomorrow night vs Toronto after needing 13 stitches for a right hand laceration. pic.twitter.com/Vc7LwFYDD4
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 22, 2017
There are 11 games left in the regular season and the Heat are far from securing a playoff spot.
Losing Hassan Whiteside could be fatal for the team's playoff chances and everyone hopes he will be able to keep playing as he is one of the best players on the team. The Miami Heat have already lost Dion Waiters who could be out for the rest of the season, and losing another starter would make the playoff push much more difficult, if not impossible.
