With the NBA regular season winding down, the Miami Heat are in a battle to avoid participating in the Play-In Tournament. After a lengthy absence from play, the team could be receiving Tyler Herro back as soon as Friday. The Heat will head on the road to take on the Houston Rockets.
There is optimism Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro – out since Feb. 23 with a foot injury – could return to the lineup on Friday vs. the Houston Rockets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Herro traveled on team’s three-game trip to Houston, Indiana and Atlanta.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 5, 2024
The 24-year-old would be a huge boon for a Miami team that has just six games remaining in the regular season.
Former Sixth Man of The Year Could Return to Heat Friday
Been a While Since Herro Last Played in a Game
A foot injury has sidelined Tyler Herro for each of the Heat’s last 20 contests. The 13th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft last played in a game on February 23.
Earlier in the season, Herro missed 18 straight games with a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Altogether, the six-foot-five shooting guard has appeared in a little less than half of Miami’s games (36 of 76).
Herro Inserted Into Starting Lineup In 2022-23
In the 2021-22 season, Herro was named Sixth Man of the Year. Duncan Robinson was the starting shooting guard for much of that season, but Herro took his spot entering 2022-23. He has been in the starting lineup in all 103 games he has played over the past two seasons.
In his 36 games in 2023-24, Herro has posted averages of 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 33.6 minutes per outing. The fifth-year pro is shooting 43.7% from the field, 39.9% from three-point territory, and 83.5% from the free-throw line.
Last season, Herro led the NBA connecting on 93.4% of his free-throw tries. The Heat reached the 2023 NBA Finals, but Herro was not around to play. He fractured his right hand in the opening game of the opening round against the Milwaukee Bucks. Herro did not return for any action during the remainder of their postseason run.
Where the Heat Are Located In The Current Playoff Picture
After Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Heat’s record dropped to 42-34. They are currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
A top-six seed is needed to receive a guaranteed playoff berth. Seeds 7-10 take part in the Play-In Tournament.
Miami sits just a half-game behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers. After Thursday’s loss, the eighth-seeded 76ers climbed to only a half-game behind the Heat.
The Heat have a crucial matchup on the road against the Pacers this Sunday. Whoever wins that game will own the tiebreaker if the two teams finish with the same record.
