Whiteside is dealing with a minor ankle issue, but coach Erik Spoelstra said the center "could play big minutes" Tuesday against the Spurs, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whiteside has come off the bench in each of the last three games since returning from an oblique injury, and he saw just 17 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Clippers. A move back to the starting lineup seems imminent at some point, though Spoelstra declined to comment on when that might happen. Even if Whiteside remains in a reserve role Tuesday, Spoelstra's comments suggest his minutes load could move back up into the low-to-mid-30s.