Heat’s Hassan Whiteside has sprained MCL, will be listed as day-to-day

Heat center Hassan Whiteside left Saturday’s Game 3 against the Raptors with a knee sprain and will not return, the team announced. X-rays came back negative.

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Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside suffered a sprained right MCL in his team’s 95–91 loss to the Toronto Raptors and is listed as day-to-day, the team confirmed Sunday after he had undergone an MRI. 

Early in the second quarter, Whiteside was boxing out Toronto’s Kyle Lowry when he was pulled toward the ground, causing his knee to twist. He immediately held his leg, walked off the floor, and was helped into the locker room.

Veteran Amar’e Stoudemire initially took over at center for Miami in Whiteside’s absence. The Heat announced that Whiteside wouldn’t return for the rest of the game.

• MORE NBA:Lowry finally finds his shot as Whiteside’s injury shifts series

Hassan Whiteside tweaks knee pic.twitter.com/SUdI3lMhhY

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 7, 2016

Whiteside says he thinks Kyle Lowry rolled into his knee.

— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) May 8, 2016

Whiteside says while it's the same knee that was bothering him. But not related, "My knee went 2 different ways."

— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) May 8, 2016

Whiteside walks slowly out of the locker room with a soft cast over his entire right leg

— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) May 8, 2016

Before leaving, Whiteside was 2-of-2 from the field, and hit a pair of free throws to tally six points.

– Kenny Ducey