Adebayo exits early with left foot pain as Nuggets outlast Heat 122-112
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DENVER — Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo left Wednesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets after feeling pain in his left foot late in the first quarter and did not return. The Nuggets capitalized on his absence, winning 122-112 at Ball Arena.
Adebayo asked out with 3:48 remaining in the opening period and was seen limping afterward. The three-time All-Star is scheduled for tests on Thursday. “We’ll figure it out,” he said after the game.
Without Adebayo in the paint, Denver dominated the glass. Nikola Jokić produced his fifth triple-double of the season with 33 points, 16 assists and 15 rebounds, leading a 61-38 rebounding advantage that included a 21-5 edge on the offensive boards. The 61 rebounds were the Nuggets’ most in a game since May 5, 2021.
“Definitely tough,” Heat guard Norman Powell said of losing his teammate so early. “We had a good rhythm, good flow, getting stops and rebounds. He was battling.”
Miami held a three-point lead, with another free throw pending, when Adebayo exited. Denver steadily pulled ahead, extending the margin to 17 in the fourth quarter. The Heat rallied late, but Jamal Murray sealed the outcome at the foul line.
Adebayo entered the night averaging 22.4 points and 9.1 rebounds. “I have huge respect for him,” Jokić said. “Every possession he’s giving 100 percent—sometimes more. They needed him on both ends.”
The defeat dropped Miami to 1-3 on its four-game trip. “There were so many swing opportunities we didn’t manage well,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Even without Bam, I thought this was a game we could’ve put ourselves in position to win.”
Source: ESPN
