Why this Heat guard wants Nikola Jovic to be more 'assertive'

Nikola Jovic’s disappointing slump to begin the season wasn’t going to last forever.

There was an inkling of hope on Nov. 8 against the Portland Trail Blazers, when the 22-year-old poured on 29 points with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals on 10-of-16 shooting and 3-of-7 from deep. Though reality set in, again, followed by a pair of untimely injuries.

Since his return last week against Atlanta, however, the tide is beginning to turn for the Miami Heat’s 6-foot-10 wing. That included a 22-point, 5-rebound, 4-assist outing on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range in a blowout 147-123 win over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

“We’re a totally different team when he’s aggressive, when he’s assertive,” Heat guard Norman Powell said after the game. “I’m always on him like, ‘You’re 6-foot-10, play like you’re 6-foot-10.’ When he does that and doesn’t hesitate, he’s a totally different basketball player and we needed that from him.”

Norman Powell speaks at length about how Nikola Jovic changes the dynamic of the team. Noticed him being more locked in.

“I’m always on him like you're 6'10, play like you're 6'10. When he does that and doesn't hesitate hes a totally different basketball player…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/znolUfBDFn
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 30, 2025

Heat’s Nikola Jovic is finding his stride after a slow start:

With money, comes expectations.

After signing a four-year, $62.4 million contract with the team heading into the season, the bar was raised tenfold for the fourth-year wing. While he’s shown plenty of raw potential, Jovic’s first three seasons were marred by injury and, to a certain extent, inconsistency.

Well, that’s a perfect summation of his first 30 games to begin this year, too.

All that said, while it’s still a very small sample, Jovic is playing as confidently as he ever has, not just this year. Over his last three games against Atlanta, Indiana and Denver, respectively, Jovic is averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 40.9 percent shooting from deep.

Comparatively, over his first 18, he was averaging 7.6 points on 39.0 percent shooting and 28.3 percent from deep. That’s a stark difference.

The Heat’s rotation has dealt with plenty of injuries, including another lower-body injury to guard Pelle Larsson in the second half of their 24-point win over Denver. He will have opportunities — it’s not up to him to take advantage of them.

You know the saying by now: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! And Jovic will have to stay ready to contribute — with assertiveness.