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Goran Dragic ruled doubtful for Game 6 of NBA Finals

Another NBA Finals game, another likely absence for Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic.

The Heat ruled Dragic doubtful for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. Dragic has missed every game since sustaining a torn plantar in Game 1 of this series.

Despite the injury, Dragic has been pushing to play. He was even considered a game-time decision going into Game 4, but his foot simply didn’t cooperate in warmups.

The Heat are currently attempting a historic comeback in the Finals, down 3-2 to the Lakers after triumphing in Game 5 on Friday.

Even in victory, Dragic’s absence was apparent for the Heat. For starters, the team used only seven players all game, with four of five starters logging at least 37 minutes. Kendrick Nunn, who had been mostly forgotten in the playoffs after a solid rookie year, has effectively replaced many of Dragic’s minutes.

During the regular season, Dragic ranked third on the Heat in points per game with 16.2 and third in assists with 5.1. The veteran had been even bigger in the playoffs, averaging 19.9 points per game before the injury.

Miami Heat's Goran Dragic (7) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Goran Dragic has been a significant absence for the Heat. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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