Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo will return for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced.
Adebayo had officially been listed as questionable for Tuesday’s contest because of a neck strain that forced the All-Star center to miss Games 2 and 3.
Point guard Goran Dragic, who is dealing with a foot injury and also missed the last two games, was officially listed as doubtful for Game 4 and was ruled out by the team about an hour before tipoff.
Adebayo had said Monday that he was “trying to get back as quickly as possible,” but noted that the Heat are “trying to make sure I’m safe and I’m ready to play.”
Meyers Leonard started at center in each of the last two games for Miami, which faces a 2-1 series deficit entering Tuesday’s game. Kelly Olynyk — another 7-footer — scored 41 points off the bench in the last two contests.
Adebayo told reporters Monday that he doesn’t like to miss games, saying “that’s not me,” but also said he understood the caution being taken by the Heat’s medical staff.
“To be in the Finals and the medical staff is telling me I can’t play … it sucks, but I understand,” he said.
Adebayo also has been dealing with a shoulder injury that flared up during the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.