Heat's Luol Deng: MRI on tap for Thursday

Deng will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of the left wrist injury he suffered in Wednesday's 99-91 Game 5 loss to the Raptors. "Right now we're just being smart," Deng said after the game. "As long as it's nothing serious, I will be out there Friday [for Game 6]."

Analysis:

Deng suffered the injury in the second half when he tripped over a photographer, and finished the contest with a paltry four points (0-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and six rebounds across 24 minutes. The forward underwent X-rays on the wrist upon exiting, but the results were inconclusive, so an MRI should provide more clarity on his situation. Both the Heat and the Raptors have been dealing with multiple injuries to key players throughout the series, and coach Erik Spoelstra would be forced to get creative if Deng is ultimately forced to sit out Game 6. The Heat have already been running an undersized lineup with Deng manning power forward after a recurrence of blood clots ended Chris Bosh's season, and they've played the last two games without top big man Hassan Whiteside (knee), who could be at risk of missing the rest of the series. Deng's potential absence would likely result in minutes increases for the likes of Justise Winslow, Josh McRoberts and Gerald Green.