Breaking: Bam Adebayo is Out yet Again, Lauri Markkannen could return and Other Tidbits

Due to a left hip injury, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo will miss his sixth straight game on Wednesday. On Monday, Adebayo headed to Charlotte with the team. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang that Adebayo’s presence on the team did not necessarily imply that he was on his way back.

The Heat nipped the Charlotte Hornets on Monday 116-114 as Duncan Robinson dumped in 24 points, Jimmy Butler added 23, and Caleb Martin had 20. Kevin Love (19 points) and Jaime Jaquez Jr (18) combined for 37 points off the bench.

Miami is 2-2 during these last four games without Adebayo and 3-4 overall in games the big man has missed.

Orlando Robinson has done an admirable job filling in for Adebayo. Robinson has scored in double-figures in two of his four starts. He averages 10.8 points, 7,3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks while compiling a shooting slash line of .571/.714/.750.  The Heat have been outscored by nearly two points a game when Robinson has been on the floor in these four starts/. Comparatively, the Heat have been outscored by 1.4 points with Adebayo on the floor.

Miami once again won’t have Haywood Highsmith, Dru Smith, or Tyler Herro tonight. Meanwhile, Nikola Jovic is on a G-League assignment.

Zion Williamson IThe s Questionable For Tonight

New Orleans Pelicans could be without Zion Williamson for tonight’s tilt against the Washington Wizards with a left ankle sprain, per Erin Summer of Bally New Orleans. On Monday, Williamson scored a season-high 36 points on 13 of 17 shootings in 33 minutes in the Pelicans’ 121-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There was no word of Williamson suffering an injury during the game. So, it is considered a minor tweak.

Other Tidbits

• New York Knicks reserve guard Immanuel Quickley is questionable due to inflammation in his right knee for tonight’s game against Utah. Quickley missed his first game of the season, a Knicks 136-130 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Mitchell Robinson is also out for the Knicks.

• Meanwhile, the Jazz will be without Jordan Clarkson due to a right bicep femoris strain in his thigh, which will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Clarkson had a right thigh contusion against New Orleans on Nov. 27 and experienced continued hamstring discomfort against Oklahoma City on Monday.

Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kris Dunn could get more playing time with Clarkson sidelined.

John Collins, Walker Kessler, and Lauri Markkanen are questionable for the Jazz. None of the trio played against the Thunder. Markkanen has missed the past eight games because of his hamstring issue, but he has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game as he has been ramping up his participation in recent practices.

• Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt sat out Tuesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks due to back spasms. Vanderbilt, who debuted on Dec. 2, averages 1.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15 minutes of action over three appearances. He is questionable for tonight’s game against San Antonio.
• The Spurs will be without out reserve center Charles Bassey for the remainder of the season as he suffered a torn left ACL on Sunday while on assignment with the Austin Toros of the G-League. Bassey was averaging 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game with the Spurs.