Report: Whiteside dealing with 1st-degree MCL sprain

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is reportedly dealing with a first-degree MCL sprain, sources tell Ethan Skolnick of the Miami Herald.

Whiteside was diagnosed with an MCL sprain after leaving Game 3, but the Heat have yet to officially announce the severity. Head coach Erik Spoelstra declared the 26-year-old day to day over the weekend, and ruled him out for Game 4 on Monday.

Skolnick notes that a first-degree sprain is the least severe, and the Heat will know more after the swelling and bruising in Whiteside's knee goes down. It is believed the team will try to give the knee a stability test later this week.

Miami doesn't believe the injury will require season-ending surgery.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry also suffered a sprained MCL on April 24, and has yet to return to action.

Whiteside is averaging 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game these playoffs.