The Miami Heat are set to square off against Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors Tuesday evening–Butler’s return. There’s zero question that it’s a highly anticipated matchup, despite both teams being on the opposite side of the spectrum with Golden State competing for a top-6 seed in the West while the Heat snapped a 10-game losing streak Sunday.
Though one under-the-radar detail ahead of Tuesday’s affair was an encouraging injury update regarding third-year wing Nikola Jovic, who fractured his second metacarpal nearly one month ago to date.
Heat Receive encouraging Nikola Jovic Injury Update:
Jovic, 21, is averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 45.6 percent shooting and 37.1 percent from 3-point range on 4.6 3-point attempts per game this season. He was playing some of his best basketball upon the injury, his second big injury over the last year (ankle; summer).
Him being cleared to play doesn’t mean he will be active for the Heat’s final 11 games. He still has to ramp up with 3-on-3, 5-on-5s and other drills/activities the team will have him do to get back into game condition. It’s a lengthy process, but it’s encouraging to see there weren’t any initial setbacks (knock on wood) regarding the injury.
Jovic is extension-eligible this offseason. Whether the two sides work out a deal or not, his new deal won’t kick in until the 2026-27 season. He has been oft-injured, but has shown strong potential in a secondary role alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro over his three-year career.
What do you make of this injury update? Let us know in the comments!
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I am excited to see if he can continue to grow.