Whiteside (ankle) has been cleared to play Saturday against Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

A sprained right ankle, suffered Wednesday against Brooklyn, kept Whiteside out of action Friday in Chicago, but he'll return to the lineup on the second night of the back-to-back set. Expect Whiteside to be available in his usual capacity, meaning Willie Reed is likely to shift back to a reduced, reserve role. For the month of January, Whiteside holds averages of 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Whiteside (ankle) is considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Pistons, Anthony Chiang of the Palm Beach Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside continues to battle a sprained right ankle, which kept him out of Friday's win over the Bulls. On the second night of the back-to-back set, the Heat will wait until closer to game time to make a decision on Whiteside's status. If he's ultimately held out, James Johnson and Willie Reed would be in line for increased minutes. On Friday, the Heat went with a smaller lineup, featuring Reed at center and Luke Babbitt at power forward.

Whiteside (ankle) will not play in Friday's game against the Bulls, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside left Wednesday's game against the Nets due to a sprained ankle and is still dealing with enough soreness to leave him out of Friday's contest. Winderman reported that coach Erik Spoelstra is leaving open the possibility that Whiteside is able to play in Saturday's game against the Pistons, but he should be considered questionable at best for the second game of the back-to-back set. With Whiteside absent, expect Willie Reed to enter the starting lineup and take on a much bigger role in the frontcourt Friday.

Whiteside (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside attempted to play through a sprained ankle during Wednesday's game against the Nets, but admitted afterwards that he probably should't have been out there. He continues to receive treatment on the ankle, but his availability for Friday likely depends on whether or not he can make it through the team's morning shootaround without any lingering issues. If Whiteside can't give it a go, Willie Reed would likely jump into the starting lineup and take on a much bigger role.

Whiteside left Wednesday's game against the Nets early due to a sprained ankle, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside stated after the game that he "had a sprained ankle and should not have played." The team did not indicate any issue with the big man's ankle heading into the game, so the news is surprising. He exited the game after just 20 minutes of action, and recorded seven points, one rebound, one assists, and one block over that span. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time, but Whiteside's next opportunity to play will be Friday against the Bulls.

Whiteside put up 16 points (7-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 15 rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes Saturday during a 109-97 win over the Bucks.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside righted the ship after struggling to impact the game against Dallas on Thursday. The seven-foot Whiteside wrestled the Bucks' big men away from the rim, and earned himself free reign around the vital painted area. He consistently challenged shots, and even unsuccessfully went up to stuff a Giannis Antetokounmpo baseline dunk. More often than not, it seems, Whiteside is just chasing statistics, but he brought important physicality on Saturday which the Heat leveraged into a win.

Whiteside recorded 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and a steal in 28 minutes during a 99-95 win over the Mavericks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite facing a team that starts the lead-footed Dirk Nowitzki at center, along with a small-ball frontcourt of Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews, Whiteside struggled around the rim, an area he usually dominates. He was 0-2 in the fourth quarter, and bizarrely went away from his favorite post-up spot on the left block in favor of a midrange jumper and an awkward hook. Whiteside may be averaging career highs in minutes (33.7), points (17.3) and rebounds (14.2), but he needs to consistently take advantage of smaller lineups with his size.

Whiteside scored 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 FT) while adding 15 rebounds, a steal and a block in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 109-103 win over the Rockets.

EDGE Analysis

With Clint Capela just returning to action from a leg injury and not able to take on a full workload, Whiteside was able to exploit the Rockets' lack of size inside to record his third double-double in four games and 27th of the season. In fact, in four games since returning from an eye injury of his own, Whiteside is averaging 18.5 points, 14.3 boards and 1.3 blocks, numbers right in line with his production on the season so far.

Whiteside scored 28 points (13-17 FG, 2-3 FT) while pulling down 20 rebounds to go along with two blocks, two assists and a steal across 37 minutes during Tuesday's 107-95 loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

Facing an undersized lineup that lacked the girth to keep him off the glass, Whiteside feasted and recorded his third 20-20 game of the season. He missed four games due to an eye contusion but has averaged 21.5 points, 16.5 rebounds and two blocks since returning to the lineup, erasing any concerns about the injury affecting his play moving forward.

Whiteside (eye) went for 15 points (7-12 FG, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, and two blocks in 31 minutes during the Heat's 98-86 loss to the Clippers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside returned to the lineup after missing the last four games due to an eye injury, and the big man notched his 25th double-double of the season. He doesn't provide much in terms of assists or steals, and his free-throw percentage is among the worst in the league. Nevertheless, Whiteside is still impressing overall in his first year as the face of the Heat's franchise.