Hassan Whiteside left the Heat bench early Tuesday.
The 29-year-old center connected on all six of his shots in the first 24 minutes against the Magic, but was held scoreless in the second half and did not play in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 105-90 loss.
Whiteside then abruptly walked back into the locker room with 40.5 seconds left to play.
Hassan Whiteside trying to beat the traffic?? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YrZnBzHEBK
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) December 5, 2018
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was asked about Whiteside’s actions following the loss.
“Probably extremely upset,” Spoelstra said, via the Sun Sentinel. “Like we all are.”
Hassan Whiteside left the Heat bench and walked to the locker room with 40.5 seconds remaining tonight. He was 6-6 in the first half, 0-1 in the second half, and a bad night got even more combustible.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) December 5, 2018
The seven-year veteran was seen shooting on the court after the game and did not meet with the media. Heat veteran Dwyane Wade told reporters he thought Whiteside left the court earlier because he needed to use the restroom.
And the postgame media availability in the Heat locker room closes without us seeing Whiteside. https://t.co/lCiOP6I9qe
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 5, 2018
Whiteside finished the contest with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. The loss dropped Miami’s record to 9-14 this season.
Whiteside entered the matchup with the Magic averaging 13.6 points and 13.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game in 2018-19.
