National Basketball Association

Heat center Whiteside sits out vs. Spurs with sprained ankle

Published Feb. 6, 2015 9:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is sitting out Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs with a sprained right ankle.

Whiteside aggravated the injury in the first quarter Wednesday against Minnesota, but still managed 24 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said Whiteside's ankle swelled up afterward.

''He was able to play through it,'' Spoelstra said. ''The adrenaline, the energy allowed him to get through that game, but it swelled (afterward).''

The injury initially caused Whiteside to miss games on Jan. 21 and Jan. 23.

The 7-foot center has started eight games and is averaging 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds since signing with Miami as a free agent on Nov. 24. He had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks off the bench Jan. 25 against the Chicago Bulls.

The Heat were also without Dwyane Wade, who missed his fifth straight game with a strained right hamstring.