Chris Bosh injury leaves Miami Heat vulnerable

Chris Bosh will be sidelined indefinitely because of a strained abdominal muscle, the Miami Heat announced Monday.

The Heat forward had an MRI exam that confirmed the injury, suffered during the 95-86 victory over Indiana in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday.

Bosh will probably be replaced in the lineup by former Laker Ronny Turiaf, but filling Bosh’s shoes won’t be easy, according to Heat guard Dwyane Wade.

“Our brother is going to go to see if he can get back out there and play with us,” Wade told the Associated Press on Sunday. “If not, then we’ve got to have someone step up very big.”

On the play in which Bosh was injured, he caught a pass from LeBron James near the foul line late in the first half, dunked the ball hard and fell forward as he landed, resting on his hands and knees for about 15 seconds before getting up slowly. He made a free throw, then ran to the other end to play defense, where he fell to his hands and knees again and was removed from the game.

Bosh averaged 18 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the season.

“We hope for the best,” James said.

Game 2 of the series is Tuesday night.

ALSO

Clippers, Lakers might be kissing playoffs goodbye

Injuries have become a sore subject for the Clippers

Clippers fall to the Memphis Grizzlies, 92-80, in Game 5

Chris Bosh injury leaves Miami Heat vulnerable