Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic suffered a reduced septum in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, playing only three minutes before exiting.
Though Jovic isn’t expected to miss any time with the injury. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Heat are expecting him to play Friday against the Indiana Pacers, albeit with a mask.
Not long after Winderman’s report the Heat account tweeted Jovic wearing a mask during Thursday’s practice.
Jovic, 21, is currently listed as available in the Heat’s latest injury report, as is forward Haywood Highsmith (knee) and Tyler Herro (shoulder), who’s playing the best basketball of his career. Jimmy Butler, however, is expected to miss his third straight game with a sprained ankle suffered Nov. 8 against the Denver Nuggets.
Jovic is averaging 8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals on 46.2 percent shooting, including 34.4 percent from 3-point range (3.2 3PA) and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line. The Miami Heat are also 1-3 in their current six-game road trip, with two games coming up against Indiana.
His ability to push pace and generate quick offense could be very important, with Indiana being the 8th-worst defense and the 9th-worst in transition. The Pacers also lack sheer size on the interior after Myles Turner with injuries to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, who are both out for Friday’s game.
It will be interesting to see if Jovic will be on a minutes restriction with the protective mask. There is no word on how long he’ll have to wear that mask, either, though conventional wisdom suggests he could wear it for at least the next 2-3 weeks.
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Trade Rumors:
#1
Heat receive: Damian Lillard, cash considerations from CHA
Bucks receive: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Seth Curry, 2029 first-round pick (via MIA), 2031 first-round pick (via MIA)
Charlotte Hornets receive: Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant, 2031 second-round pick
#2
Tyler Herro to Orlando
Orlando could offer several of their own first-round picks as well as young talent like Cole Anthony, Anthony Black or Tristan Da Silva to give Miami a start with their rebuild.
A rare moment when I would possibly pass on both SM ideas. I wasn’t sure if this was two separate trades or two parts of one trade.On #1, I don’t think pairing a high salaried, declining Lillard with a declining Butler for 4 players and 2 first round picks benefits the team.
The second trade is more palatable. Herro is currently better than any of those players but if we received 2 of the 3, plus 1 or 2 picks, it might work.
Now, if #1 and #2 are 2 parts of the same trade (I don’t think that’s the case), then the 2 picks we give up may be more valuable than the 2 we might receive. Anyway, as we’ve discussed many times, the team should move towards a younger, more talented team with a core of Bam, Herro, Jaquez, Pelle, Ware. Add an A or A+ player and they’re on the right road.
I don’t like either trade. Just throwing them out there. I still prefer Butler to Houston for players and picks or Duncan and spare parts for Kuzma. But that’s just me.
Yup
Why not make the best of it and get a rhinoplasty? Just kidding, wait till off season. Heal up quick, may the mask protect.
Maybe now he will be more aggressive with a mask. If that works, maybe a helmet next. Then watch out! (lol) I think Niko has found his comfort zone on the second team. Less pressure, more room to handle the ball/be creative. He can play more SF/Point Forward. He needs more time, experience and self-confidence.
need difference makers not just guys.hes a jag just like the whole team,tys stock high now time to sell him jim terry get picks for ss down the line.mediocritys the worse place to be.build around jjj ware bam
“Leave the gun and take the canoli.”
Gone: Butler, Rozier, Duncan, Bryant.
Keep: Bam, Herro, Jaquez, Jovic, Ware, Larsson, (Johnson, Christopher,
Smith).
Decide future when contracts expire or use as “throw-ins” for trades: Burks, Highsmith, Richardson, Love.
Possible trade partners: Houston, Golden State, Washington, OKC, Milwaukee, New Orleans and others.