Heat's Deng out vs. Knicks with hamstring injury
Miami Heat forward Luol Deng will not be suiting up for Friday's contest against the New York Knicks.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Deng's condition has improved, but he's not yet ready to return.
Spo "He's getting better, he has a little bit less swelling. We're likely to not play him tonight. We have a few days before our next game."
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 27, 2015
"We decided this morning," Deng said at the midday shootaround, according to the Miami Sun Sentinal's Ira Winderman. "We've just got to keep taking it day by day, like I said before. It still doesn't feel right."
Deng is battling a hamstring issue that sidelined him for Miami's 23-point loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
The Heat are already painfully thin on wing depth, and losing a noted defensive stopper in Deng hurts the team's chances of checking Carmelo Anthony. Rookie swingman Justise Winslow has looked strong in his debut, especially on defense, but grappling with Anthony is an extremely tough cover.
Winslow or Gerald Green will likely draw the start.
The 30-year-old Deng is averaging 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from deep.