NBA Finals: 3 takeaways as the Los Angeles Lakers dominate Game 1

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Heat forward Jimmy Butler (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NBA Finals Takeaway No. 1: Too many injuries

Fortunately for the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury did not stop him from returning to the court, as he was seen even early into the fourth quarter of a blowout. Butler has a reputation as a tough player and seemed fine, his ankle is definitely worth monitoring as the NBA Finals move forward.

Unfortunately for the Heat, starting point guard Goran Dragic suffered a foot injury (a plantar fascitis issue), and All-Star big man Bam Adebayo suffered a shoulder strain, neither player returned to the contest. This is particularly concerning for Bam, as he suffered an injury to the same shoulder during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Folks just tuning into the NBA have no idea how important Goran Dragic is to this Heat team. Their leading scorer in the postseason and most consistent rim attacker. If he's out, a devastating blow.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) October 1, 2020

If one or both of these players miss extended time during the NBA Finals this will be a very short series for the Heat. Miami heavily relies on its depth and losing such pivotal players during the most pivotal series of the series is simply a crushing blow for the Heat franchise.