Jovic totaled 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, six assists and two steals over 30 minutes during Saturday's 114-106 victory over Charlotte.
Jovic is off to a strong start as a full-time starter. Through two games, the third-year pro has totaled 25 points (10-22 FG), nine boards, seven dimes, three steals and one block. With Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez coming off the bench, Jovic faces stiff competition for playing time, but for now, he's locked into starter-level minutes. The potential returns of Kevin Love (personal) and Kel'el Ware (illness) soon could also mean slightly fewer minutes for Jovic moving forward.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Starts and scores 15 points
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Jovic finished with 15 points (7-15 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 116-97 loss to the Magic.
Jovic started 38 of 46 regular-season games last season, and he seems to have a leg up on Jaime Jaquez as the first-unit option for the Heat. Jovic's fantasy value is still up in the air, but his spot in the rotation warrants some consideration, especially if he's available on the waiver wire.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suits up for Serbia
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Jovic (ankle) posted 10 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and four rebounds in 11 minutes during Serbia's 94-72 exhibition win over Greece on Monday.
Jovic sprained his ankle in mid-June, and there were conflicting reports about his availability ahead of the Paris Olympics. It looks like the 21-year-old forward is still working his way back to full strength, evidenced by playing only 11 minutes versus Greece, but he has appeared in back-to-back exhibitions. Jovic should be available for Serbia's showdown against Team USA on July 28, the first game of the Olympics for both squads.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
The Heat announced Saturday that Jovic (ankle) is progressing in his rehab, and there is still a possibility he will be able to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Serbia, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic suffered an ankle injury in June during an offseason workout. While initial reports stated that the 21-year-old big man was likely to miss the Olympics, he remains listed on Serbia's roster.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Likely to miss Olympics
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) didn't travel with the Serbian national team for Friday's preparatory game against France and is considered likely to sit out the 2024 Paris Olympics, EuroHoops.net reports.
Jovic suffered his injury in June but appears to still be dealing with a fracture of the ankle joint. While there is no indication that the 20-year-old forward will miss any of the NBA season, his absence will be a big blow to the Serbian national team's hopes in Paris.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suffers ankle injury
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Jovic was diagnosed with a minor left ankle sprain Thursday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic is still expected to compete for Serbia in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which begin on July 28. Jovic made 38 starts for Miami this year and could start alongside Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt for Serbia.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Decent output in playoff exit
Rotowire
Jovic ended with eight points (3-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 28 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic was forced to embrace a bigger role in the second half of the season and was a permanent fixture in the starting unit since mid-February. While he had some strong performances here and there, he lacked consistency on a game-to-game basis, and he was unable to become a reliable offensive alternative when the Heat needed him, especially in games where they were shorthanded. It remains to be seen if Jovic will remain a regular starter for the Heat next season. but it's worth noting he averaged 9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 33 starts since the beginning of February, counting both the regular season and the playoffs.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Grabs eight rebounds in Game 3 loss
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Jovic logged 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Saturday's 104-84 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic has been forced to play a prominent role for the Heat over the last few weeks, but he has been up to the task this postseason, scoring in double digits and grabbing at least six rebounds in his three appearances during the current series against Boston. Jovic should remain in the starting lineup for Game 4 on Monday. He's averaging 12.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in the first three games of the series.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Available for Game 2
Rotowire
Jovic (back) is available for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Celtics.
Jovic was a late addition to the injury report due to a minor back issue, but as expected, he's been upgraded from probable to available. He posted 10 points, six rebounds and a block in 26 minutes during Sunday's 114-94 Game 1 loss.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Continues solid play Friday
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Jovic accumulated 22 points (9-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 27 minutes during Friday's 125-103 win over the Raptors.
Jovic bounced back from a subpar outing against the Mavericks on Wednesday, and he surpassed the 15-point mark for the third time across his last four outings. Jovic has been a regular starter for Miami in the last few weeks, and he has been up to the challenge, averaging 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game since the All-Star break. He's also scored in double digits in six of his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Tuesday
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Jovic (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has been upgraded from probable to available Tuesday despite dealing with a right ankle sprain. The 20-year-old big man has started in each of his last 22 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Likely to play Tuesday
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Jovic is probable for Tuesday's game against the Hawks with a right ankle sprain.
Jovic was previously dealing with a minor knee issue, but now it's his right ankle that's bothering him. He's expected to play, however, and he's averaged 22.4 minutes per game over his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Tuesday
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Jovic (knee) will play Tuesday versus the Knicks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic is joined by Caleb Martin (ankle) and Terry Rozier (knee) in being cleared for action Tuesday, while Duncan Robinson (back) remains probable. Jovic is averaging 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 23.3 minutes across his last three appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic (knee) has been removed from the injury report in advance of Sunday's game against Washington.
Jovic will not miss any time after suffering a right knee contusion in Friday's mammoth victory over Portland. He is averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.5 made threes in 25.4 minutes across his last four healthy contests.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Probable to face Washington
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Jovic (knee) is probable to face the Wizards on Sunday.
Jovic sustained a right knee contusion in Friday's win over the Trail Blazers, but the probable tag suggests he shouldn't have significant problems returning to the hardwood ahead of Sunday's contest. Jovic is averaging 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in a starting role since the All-Star break.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suffers knee contusion
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Jovic sustained a right knee contusion and wasn't able to return to Friday's 142-82 win over the Trail Blazers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. He finished with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes.
Jovic tried to play a few possessions after he picked up the injury, but he appeared to be uncomfortable. Miami had a big lead when Jovic left the game, so that may have factored into the club's decision to hold him out for the ret of the night. Jovic should be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Gets green light Wednesday
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Jovic (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic has missed two straight games but will return to action Wednesday and will presumably draw another start, as Bam Adebayo (back) is sidelined. Jovic has started each of his last 12 appearances, averaging 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.4 minutes during that stretch.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Iffy against Cleveland
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Jovic (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Cavaliers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic is in danger of missing his third straight contest Wednesday due to a right hamstring strain. However, it is a good sign that the 20-year-old big man is initially being listed as questionable instead of out. If Jovic is unable to suit up, Haywood Highsmith will likely continue to start.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Out again Monday
Rotowire
Jovic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Jovic will miss a second straight game due to a right hamstring strain. With Kevin Love (heel) also out, Haywood Highsmith is a candidate to draw another start, while Caleb Martin should see increased usage off the bench.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Out versus Pistons
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Jovic will not play in Sunday's matchup against Detroit due to a hamstring strain, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic presumably picked up the injury in Friday's victory over the Pistons. In his absence, Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith figure to be the prime beneficiaries. The second-year big man's next opportunity to suit up will come Monday against the 76ers.
