Whiteside day to day with sprained right MCL

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside's recent MRI confirmed a sprained MCL in his right knee, the team announced Sunday.

He's currently listed as day to day.

The injury occurred during the second quarter of Game 3 on Saturday evening in a narrow 95-91 loss to the visiting Toronto Raptors. Whiteside fell awkwardly to the ground, twisting his knee in the process. He was then escorted to the locker room and did not return.

He told reporters after the game that the injury is unrelated to the one he suffered in Game 1 at the Air Canada Centre, which he was treated for and eventually returned with.

The team did not divulge the grade of the sprain, though.

Reigning MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is currently recovering from a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee which has kept him sidelined for the past three-and-a-half games.

Game 4, which he's been listed as questionable for, of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Heat and Raptors goes down on Monday night at the American Airlines Arena, with a potential Game 7 taking place six days later. With that said, there's a very real possibility the 26-year-old is forced to sit the remainder of the series, depending on the severity of the injury.

Whiteside is currently averaging 9.3 points on 62.5 percent shooting, along with 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 29 minutes against the Raptors, who lead the series 2-1.

Should he miss any time, the combination of Amar'e Stoudemire, Josh McRoberts, and Udonis Haslem - who combined for 12 points on Saturday - will be forced to pick up the slack in the frontcourt.

Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas has also been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a sprained right ankle.