Heat's Bam Adebayo Enters Health and Safety Protocols Ahead of NBA Playoffs

The Miami Heat will be without a key starter for at least the next five days.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Heat center will be out through Friday because he has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols. Adebayo could return in time for the playoffs.

Adebayo is one of the best big men in the league after being drafted 14th overall. He scored a team-high 24 points and had the go-ahead dunk to lead the Heat to a comeback win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

Adebayo has averaged a career-high 19.1 points with 10.1 rebound and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.7% from the field in his fifth season. He had surgery on his thumb in December and has only played 56 games this year.

Adebayo is just one of many examples of Miami's season. Six of the team's top seven scorers were forced to miss a lot of games because of injury or illness. The Heat have a 53-28 record and are the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

The NBA playoffs begin on April 16 after the conclusion of the play-in tournament. Veteran center Dewayne Dedmon would likely move into the starting lineup if Adebayo were to miss a game. Dedmon has made 15 starts this season and is averaging 6.3 points and 5.8 pounds.

The regular-season finale will be between the Heat and the Magic.