The Miami Heat are 14-8 this season, but their positive record has not come without struggles. The Heat have had to endure multiple injuries this year. Tyler Herro started the season on the injury report after receiving ankle surgery, Bam Adebayo missed time with a sprained toe, and Norman Powell has had his own ailments. Heading into Friday’s game, Herro has landed back on the injury report.
Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Herro is dealing with irritation in his right big toe. The injury will keep him out of the game on Friday, and he will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Is the Faster Pace of Play To Blame?
GettyTyler Herro will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Herro returned to action right before Thanksgiving. Since returning to the court, Herro has played five games, averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, while shooting 52.4% from the floor. The 25-year-old is making 48.4% of his shots from beyond the arc, as well.
Miami was already one of the top offensive teams in the NBA before Herro’s return. At the moment, the Heat are second in the NBA in points per game and pace. Erik Spoelstra has the team playing faster than they have in the past, and it is working out for them. Their defense, however, has not been as solid. But the positive effects from their faster style of play outweigh the negative.
The one problem with the faster pace of play is the fatigue that comes along with it. Players are pushing themselves harder than they have in the past, which makes it tougher to log 30+ minutes. The players who can stay on the court could be at risk for injury. Herro is not an exception.
In his five games, Herro has averaged 31.4 minutes played. The former first-round pick was coming off a significant ankle surgery, so the minutes could have gotten to him. Now, he waited until he was fully ready before returning, but the pace of an NBA game is much different than practice.
Now, Herro’s injury is nobody’s fault. It is just what comes with the game. However, the faster pace of play Miami is adopting, along with the rest of the league, could be a contributing factor.
Other Heat Injuries
GettyNorman Powell will play against the Magic on Friday night.
Herro is not the only player on the injury report heading into Friday’s game with the Orlando Magic.
Powell, Nikola Jovic, and Jaime Jaquez Jr were each on the injury report before the day started. However, all three are going to be available for the game. Powell was the player Miami was most worried about missing the game.
Powell was originally questionable for the matchup with an ankle injury. He is the leading scorer in Miami, and he has a field goal percentage over 50% this season. With Herro out, Miami needs him on the court. Having him active on Friday is great news as the Heat look to beat the red-hot Magic on the road.
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