Friday 5 April 2019 06:32, UK
Miami Heat's Josh Richardson returned on Wednesday after missing three games but is ruled out again - this time with an injured groin and hip strain.
While an MRI on Richardson's left hip and groin showed no structural damage, it is understood the Heat player could miss two critical weeks as Miami vies for a spot in the playoffs.
During a 112-102 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Heat guard Richardson departed early in the third quarter.
According to a report in the Miami Herald, the 25-year-old will not travel during the Heat's two-game trip that begins on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves and ends on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors.
He will be re-evaluated on Monday when the team returns to Miami.
While the Heat (38-40) dropped to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Wednesday loss, they head into Thursday's action trailing the sixth-place Detroit Pistons (39-39) by one game and are a half-game behind the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic, who are tied for seventh at 39-40.
This season, Richardson, who is in his fourth season with the Heat, is averaging 16.6 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game.
