Heat's Bam Adebayo exits COVID protocols, available for Game 1 vs. Hawks

Heat center Bam Adebayo has officially exited the league’s health and safety protocols and is expected to be available against the Hawks in Miami’s playoff opener on Sunday, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Adebayo entered protocols on April 10, and coach Erik Spoelstra indicated on Friday that he expected his starting center to clear them this weekend.

This is obviously a major development in the series, particularly since the Hawks could be without center Clint Capela, who suffered a knee injury during the play-in victory over Cleveland on Friday. Adebayo averaged 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two games against Atlanta this season.

For the season, Adebayo averaged a career-best 19.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 56 games. He hasn’t played since April 8, when Miami defeated Atlanta by four points.