(Photo via Getty Images)
After the Miami Heat looked to finally be hitting their stride of a six-game winning streak, they have now lost two out of their last three games. This includes their previous disappointing loss against the struggling Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Tyler Herro’s return to the lineup has caused for some inconsistent Heat rotations, compared to the group that was out there for the first 17 games of the season. However, Miami will likely be without Herro once again for tonight’s road matchup versus the in-state rival Orlando Magic.
Herro is listed as doubtful with a toe injury. Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported that he would be undergoing an MRI for this sudden setback. The Heat’s reigning All-Star guard has just gotten back to game action after offseason ankle surgery sidelined him to begin the 2025-26 season.
The good news is that Norman Powell will return after missing the Mavericks game with an ankle sprain. Paolo Banchero will make his return for Orlando as well, as he was sidelined for several weeks with his own injury. Miami lost to the Magic in their season opener, and will now get to rematch. Both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are separated by just one game in the Eastern Conference standings.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Orlando Magic:
- Moritz Wagner (knee) — OUT
- Jamal Cain (g-league) — OUT
- Orlando Robinson (g-league) — OUT
- Colin Castleton (g-league) — OUT
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro (toe) — DOUBTFUL
- Kasparas Jakucionis (g-league) — OUT
- Myron Gardner (g-league) — OUT
- Vlad Goldin (g-league) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Orlando Magic:
- Jalen Suggs, G
- Desmond Bane, G
- Paolo Banchero, F
- Franz Wagner, F
- Wendell Carter Jr, C
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Pelle Larsson, G/F
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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Tyler out coz he was told he’s a part of the Giannis trade lol
Go Heat!
banchero is what i thought bam might be offensively not quite
think herro being out helps us
If we drew up a plan for Herro titled ‘steps you can take to keep lowering your value’, this would be the way. Already with an oft injured reputation, he waits until just before training camp to get his surgery, and now, 2 weeks after returning, is injured again. He should not be offered $50m per season. Or $40m. Or even $30m. If he expects more than what he is making now, the team should just let his contract expire and he can try his luck on the open market.
not sure if brazilian guy is playing but if we win this is a quality win
He is.
Orlando is playing better without Banchero than with him…kind of like the Heat without Herro.
Now may be the perfect time for Riley to put his feelers out around the league to explore interest in a trade package that includes Herro, and other assets, in exchange for a disgruntled ss (such as Antetokounmpo).
not sure how orlando looks w/o bandero i see black and some other newby balling out.but the heat prior to herro were playing so well i was hoping he would never be back.i mean the word team was never more apparent.ball was moving.tys a one on one player when fresh very good but always breaks down .too late to trade him with injury history
Antonio was in Orlando?
bancheros back put ware as a starter
a banderis b bandero c banchero c is correct