Less than 48 hours ago, Miami Heat wing Nikola Jovic was about to make his return against the Atlanta Hawks, 11 days after what originally appeared to be a very scary elbow injury. He
He missed only four games. But the Heat needed extra juice while they were down both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Enters Jovic, who’s had a very uneven season to date, hoping to take advantage of another opportunity thrown his way.
And that’s exactly what he did, albeit against two flimsy defenses in the Hawks and Pacers. But what should be taken away is his overall impact — and how it could be an encouraging momentum builder moving forward.
Why Nikola Jovic’s last two games were steps in right direction:
Jovic, 22, missed 10 of his first 11 shots against Atlanta. But he still finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 21 minutes off the bench. It was a bad shooting night — but he more than made up for it with his rebounding (box outs, tip outs!), decision-making and defense.
He followed that up with one of his best games to date against the Indiana Pacers. Jovic had 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He finished the game with a pair of self-created buckets — an area of struggle — including a step-back 3-pointer with less than five minutes left.
“People forget how young he still is. He’s still got so much to grow and learn,” Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. told reporters after Saturday’s game. “He brings a whole new dynamic to our team that really fits so well with us and how this team wants to play.”
For the season, Jovic is averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He’s shooting a career-low 38.4 percent from the floor, 28.4 percent from 3-point range and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line.
For the fourth-year forward, it’s about stacking productive games together. We’ve seen what he’s capable of doing as a dynamic playmaker and 3-point shooter. But he hasn’t been able to find any sort of consistency this season.
“We all know what he can do and what he’s capable of,” Heat forward Andrew Wiggins said. “Tonight shows it. He’s 6-foot-10 that can play any position — very talented.”
Saturday’s 26-point win over the Pacers marked his third game with north of 10 points this season. He had 24 such games last year after just 11 in 2023-24.
But the most important part of Jovic’s development is impacting the game when shots aren’t falling, something that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has drilled into him. And he’s able to consistently do that, the back-end of the Heat’s rotation will be stronger than it already was.
“I think this was a good step for [Nikola Jovic] to contribute and impact the game without making shots,” Spoelstra said after his 10-point performance against the Hawks. “You didn’t see the body language stuff when he misses open 3s, or misses open layups or there’s a turnover.
“He just got onto the next play. He tried to help contribute to the next play. He did some very good things. When he gets in a better rhythm, I have no doubt the shooting will be better.”
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The Indiana game was a step in the right direction for Niko, but not Atlanta. He was not good in that game until garbage time.
Let’s see how he does in the next five games against a totally different level of competition. We have been thru this with Niko before, the occasional good game where he shows flashes. But, let’s not get excited about beating a 6-24 team with a bunch of reserves starting.
We are sure to see him plenty now that he got paid, and, I agree with hfl, unfairly at Keshad’s expense and at the expense of the team. Let’s see how he does against some of the more physical and far better teams coming in. Let’s table this discussion of whether he’s turning a corner for five games. Right now, it’s sort of like getting excited when UM beats Bethune Cookman early in the college football season.
Excellent article on the Heat’s resurgence:
A return to what works is fueling the Heat’s resetOriginally posted on Miami Heat on SI
By Naveen Ganglani | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 12:49 AM ET
https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/a_return_to_what_works_is_fueling_the_heats_reset/s1_16619_43255908
The next several games will be very telling for Jovic. He doesn’t need to score 19 points. He needs to contribute, shoot reasonably well, not turn the ball over, and, most importantly, continue to play aggressively. He must build on these last 2 games. In the past, we’ve seen regression and then loss of confidence. That needs to end.
Jovic should be putting up stats comparable to Jaime’s. He’s currently far underperforming.
If he can play his way out of his slump, great. If he can’t, the team can’t afford to lose games while he tries to get his game together/find his mojo.
He either gets his game together real soon or gets shipped to Sioux Falls for a re-set.
Why do u say that hes not been good.He gets a million chances.How long is the leash .Ibelieve keshods athleticism and skill would help us more especially containing guys we have no body to match up with
Dude…they’ve already decided to get him at what they consider a team friendly price.for a reason. They must see potential in him that you don’t. I see it too.
He’s like Jaquez was. He hasn’t figured out to play to his strengths and avoid trying to do things he doesn’t do well (until he has time in the off-season to work on those things).
Keshad has a ton of potential I have supported him since Miami brought him after he went undrafted. I haven’t seen the development I had hoped. But that’s ok. He is being brought along slowly. If they sign him to another extension, then we’ll know.
I see the potential too. As for Keshad, he must become a better shooter. He doesn’t need to be great from distance – even 37-38% would be fine considering his other skills and ability.
He needs to play more under control.
P.S. I forgot to mention Pelle Larsson. He has also apparently found his groove. Miami has won 7 of the last 8 games Larsson has started and has gone 11-3 when he plays 26+ minutes.
Yup, and as I mentioned, it would be hard to find too many #44 picks who were better than this young man.
When the re-draft of the 2025 class comes out at the end of the season, I wonder if he’ll be elevated to late first round. Pelle, Jaime and Davion are pit bulls. Physical like Bam, but not dirty like Draymond, Brooks, Dort, Embiid, “Beef Stew”, Thompson brothers, etc.