by The Miami Heat will be without two of their centers for Saturday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, but an extended absence is not expected.
Kevin Love (personal reasons) and rookie Kel’el Ware (illness) have been ruled out for the Heat’s second game of the season, the team announced. Neither practiced on Friday. Love also missed Wednesday’s season opener for the same reason.
Losing Ware for the game shouldn’t impact the rotation as the rookie only received poor minutes when the game was already out of control on Wednesday night.
Thomas Bryant will remain Bam Adebayo’s primary backup.
Meanwhile, Josh Richardson has been upgraded to questionable as he struggles with a heel injury. Richardson hasn’t played since February, when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. Richardson’s shoulder was cleared this week due to contact, but the left heel injury put his status in question.
If Richardson is available Saturday, he could push for minutes as a backup guard behind Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro.
For the Hornets, second-year forward Brandon Miller suffered a left glute strain in the season opener and will be out until at least November 1st. Center Mark Williams has not played this season and is questionable for Charlotte’s game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
