Miami Heat starting point guard Gabe Vincent has been ruled out for Game 5 against the Boston Celtics due to an ankle sprain.

Development: Miami’s Gabe Vincent is listed out for Game 5 vs. Boston tonight with an ankle sprain.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2023

This is a huge loss for the Heat as they are trying to close out the series against the Celtics as they lead the series 3-1. Game 5 is at the TD Garden were the Celtics have struggled in recent playoff games, but all the pressure is on the Heat to close out the series.

Vincent has been the starting point guard for the entire playoffs after they moved veteran Kyle Lowry to the bench. He has been one of the major contributors on this Heat team that have defied the odds and are one win away from a NBA Finals berth.

The Miami Heat coaching staff now faces the challenge of adjusting their game plan without Vincent’s presence on the court. They will likely explore different lineup combinations and strategies to compensate for his absence and exploit the strengths of the remaining players. The team will heavily rely on the leadership of veteran guards and the performance of their bench players to step up and make significant contributions in Game 5.

Projected starting point guard Kyle Lowry will have to be the Kyle Lowry of old as he has arguably the most playoff experience on the Heat.

The Miami Heat are currently 8.5 point underdogs according to Florida sportsbooks.

As the series progresses, Vincent’s injury and subsequent absence will undoubtedly impact the team’s chances of advancing. However, the Miami Heat have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity before and will undoubtedly give their all in his absence. Also being up 3-1 is a blessing and a curse. Miami would like to close out the series tonight as they will need to rally together, find alternative sources of offense, and elevate their defensive efforts to compensate for Vincent’s absence.