Whether it’s during the summer or season, the Miami Heat–in some capacity–can’t avoid the injury.
In mid-June, Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic sprained his ankle in an offseason workout, being photographed wearing a walking boot. He was still expected to play on Team Serbia’s Olympic squad in late July, but nearly one month after the prognosis, it looks like Jovic will be held out entirely, according to a report that surfaced Friday.
According to Meridian Sports’ English translation, Jovic suffered a “fracture of the ankle joint” that will keep him out of the Olympics.
“Even if Nikola recovers from his injury in time, Miami wonders,”the report read., via its English translation “And NBA insurance, in case of an injury to a player, is huge. That breach potentially costs several hundred thousand dollars. The risk is too great.
“Plus, the question is how much Eric Spoelstra, the coach of the Heat and a member of the American coaching staff, would like Jović to go to the Olympics and jeopardize the start of the season.”
According to the report, Jovic did not travel with the team for its exhibitions in France and Abu Dhabi, which will be held on July 15 and 17, respectively.
Jovic earned a Silver Medal during last year’s World Cup with Serbia, averaging 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 56.6 percent shooting and 42.3 percent from 3-point range. He played alongside Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and former NBA center Filip Petrusev, among others.
This is very unfortunate news that the injury was deemed more serious than it was originally reported, and even more unfortunate that Jovic won’t be able to compete alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokic on the world’s biggest stage.
It’s good news that they’re taking the precautionary approach, however. It’s undetermined whether or not the fracture in his ankle is confirmed–it doesn’t make sense why it wasn’t originally reported as such–and if he will be fully recovered by training camp, set to begin in early October.
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Spo eliminates the biggest threat for US team?
that’s a bummer. would have been a good experience for him
I’m sure he wanted to represent, but he needs to be fully ready for the season because this will be an important year in Jovic’s career. He has a great opportunity to be an important part of the Heat rotation, and maybe even start full time.