NEW YORK _ With lineup mainstay Josh Richardson in a walking boot and not with the Miami Heat for their two-game trip to New York and Boston, coach Erik Spoelstra declined to address whether it is a season-ending injury.
"I don't have a new update," Spoelstra said in advance of Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with Richardson listed out with a bruised left heel.
Richardson watched Thursday's victory over the Dallas Mavericks at AmericanAirlines Arena from the bench while wearing a walking boot, something that has been the case away from the arena, as well.
"That's part of his treatment," Spoelstra said, with Saturday the second game Richardson has missed with the injury. "He also has quite a bit of the treatment without the boot during the day and working. But there is not a timeline."
In addition to Richardson, Justise Winslow and Rodney McGruder also did not make the trip that concludes Monday night against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
Winslow now has missed the past eight games, including Saturday in New York, with a bruised left thigh. McGruder has missed the past seven with a sore left knee.
"As much treatment, work as they can get, around the clock, that's their focus right now," Spoelstra said of the three players left behind.
The upshot, with the Heat having dealt Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington at the February trading deadline, and with two open roster spots due to potential luxury-tax implications, has been rookie Duncan Robinson seeing rotation time.
"He's certainly gotten better," Spoelstra said of the forward on a two-way contract. "He had a phenomenal year this year in the G League. But he's improved his defense. He's improved his body and his conditioning and his strength. He's improved his ability to work on the move for catch-and-shoot opportunities, rather than just being a spot-up shooter.
"He's become much more dynamic. I don't hesitate at all to play him."
