In a major setback that could end up jeopardizing their title run, the Heat found out that Bosh, the lesser member of its vaunted Big Three, but still its best big man, will be sidelined indefinitely due to a strained abdominal muscle.
Bosh said he is likely to miss the remainder of the conference semifinals, which Miami leads, 1-0. Game 2 is Tuesday in Miami.
“It’s not the worst thing that could happen,” he said after practice on Monday. “We’ll see how my body responds, but the season has to be extended for me to play again.''
Added LeBron James, who is expected to get some time now at power forward: “We’re moving along as if he’s not going to return.''
An MRI revealed that there was no tear, which had been originally feared when Bosh went down late in the first half Sunday after a dunk and Roy Hibbert’s foul sent him to the floor.
“We thought it could be a lot worse,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who wouldn’t reveal his new starting lineup.
Earlier this season, the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili had to miss two weeks due to a similar injury. If Bosh is sidelined for any extended period, the Heat’s thin ranks at center and power forward could prevent them from getting back to the Finals, especially if they end up having to play Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bosh joins several notable players who have suffered major injuries this post-season. The Bulls lost superstar Derrick Rose and center Joakim Noah during its first-round loss to the Sixers, while Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis went down to season-ending knee injuries in the Knicks’ first-round series loss to Miami.
The Heat went 4-5 in the regular-season when Bosh was sidelined with injuries. Although he’s not in the class of James or Wade, he still is a vital player for the Heat. After Bosh, their top big men are light-scoring Joel Anthony and journeyman Rony Turiaf, the oft-injured former Knick who played only seven minutes against New York.
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