The winner of this game will clinch the No. 8 seed in the East and face the Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs first round.
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Miami Heat in a crucial final round Play-In encounter on Friday night. The Hawks lost to the Magic in the opening clash, and the Heat eliminated the Bulls on Wednesday to set the Eastern Conference’s final matchup of the Play-In Tournament. The winner of this game will clinch the No. 8 seed in the East and face the Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs first round.
The Atlanta Hawks have cracked the Play-In Tournament on the previous two attempts but found themselves in an elimination game in their third attempt. Atlanta made a four-game improvement from last year, and their two players made it into the stat leaders. Defeat against Orlando put them under pressure against Miami on Friday.
Also Read: Damian Lillard Injury Update: Will Bucks Star Return for NBA Playoffs Matchup against Pacers?
On the flip side, the Heat outclassed the Bulls for the third time in a Play-In Tournament. Miami remains the only team to play the NBA Finals after featuring in the Play-In competition. Victory against Chicago on Wednesday gave them the momentum to replicate the 2023 version.
Let’s figure out the key details from both teams’ injury reports and their impact on their performance.
Time: Friday, Apr. 18 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Local TV: TNT, Tru TV, Max | Live Stream: fubo
The Atlanta Hawks have listed four players on the injury report. Trae Young, the regular season’s assists leader, is listed as probable for the crucial Play-In game against the Heat.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 17, 2025
Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis): Probable
Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery): Out
Clint Capela (left fourth metacarpal ligament sprain): Out
Jalen Johnson (left shoulder surgery): Out
Larry Nance Jr.… pic.twitter.com/dtKCKr5wkT
Larry Nance Jr (hand) and Clint Capela (knee) will be out again on Friday. Onyeka Okongwu will get extra minutes and Quin Snyder will use Mouhamed Gueye as the backup five.
Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery) and Jalen Johnson (left shoulder surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2025 Odds – Who Has the Best Odds To Go All the Way in the Eastern Conference?
The Miami Heat have listed five players on the injury report for the crucial trip to Atlanta. Kevin Love’s status remains the same as he has been listed as questionable due to personal reasons. Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic remain out of another Play-in game due to ankle and hand injuries, respectively.
Dru Smith underwent surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and is sidelined for the entire season. Isaiah Stevens will be ineligible for the Playoffs, as he’s on a two-way contract.
Image Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Gulshan Sharma is a passionate writer with a love for storytelling. With a keen interest in Sports Journalism, he aim to craft engaging and thought-provoking content that resonates with readers.
Read moreGet the biggest stories delivered straight to you - for free!
By signing up, you consent to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, nad to receive marketing and account-related emails from The Playoffs. You can subscribe at any time.
For over 10 years, The Playoffs has been a go-to source for sports and sports betting enthusiasts.
Our mission: To help bettors make the best choices with in-depth analysis, reliable data, and passionate expertise.
Our motto: Share our passion for sports and betting. At The Playoffs, we live and breathe sports. Every day, our editorial teams work to deliver the most accurate and relevant information so you can place bets with confidence—and most importantly, enjoy the experience.
Gambling can be fun and exciting, but it’s essential to keep it responsible. Set limits on your time and spending, never chase your losses, and understand that betting is a form of entertainment—not a way to earn money. If gambling stops being enjoyable or starts affecting your life negatively, don’t hesitate to seek support or take advantage of self-exclusion tools provided by betting platforms. Remember, responsible betting is the key to a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 - THE PLAYOFFS - SHARE THE PASSION FOR SPORTS AND BETTING