SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is sitting out against the San Antonio Spurs with a sprained right ankle.
Whiteside aggravated the injury in the first quarter Wednesday night against Minnesota, but still managed 24 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra says Whiteside’s ankle swelled up afterward.
The injury initially caused Whiteside to miss games on Jan. 21 and Jan. 23.
The 7-foot center has started eight games and is averaging 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds since signing with Miami as a free agent on Nov. 24. He had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks off the bench Jan. 25 against the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat will also be without Dwyane Wade, who is missing his fifth straight game Friday night with a strained right hamstring.
