Heat's Nikola Jovic: Goes scoreless again Wednesday
Rotowire
Jovic posted zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in six minutes during Wednesday's 118-108 loss to Dallas.
Jovic failed to score for the second straight game, continuing what has been a disastrous season thus far. Seen as a possible breakout candidate, at least to begin the season, Jovic has basically fallen out of the rotation. After receiving five straight DNP-CDs, Jovic has since averaged just 5.7 minutes per game in his last three appearances.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Struggles in limited time
Rotowire
Jovic recorded two points (1-3 FG, 0-1 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 10 minutes in Saturday's 138-135 loss to the Pistons.
After missing four straight games due to a right hip impingement, Jovic was active Wednesday for the Heat's 106-103 win over the Bucks, but he was left out of the rotation in a coach's decision. Though he ended up displacing Simone Fontecchio on the second unit Saturday, Jovic struggled in his limited minutes, as he committed a team-high five turnovers during his time on the court. Even if head coach Erik Spoelstra elects to prioritize Jovic ahead of Fontecchio in future contests, Jovic could still be at risk of falling back out of the rotation in Monday's game against the Clippers if Jaime Jaquez (groin) is cleared to return to action after sitting out Saturday's contest.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Off injury report
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) will play in Wednesday's game against Milwaukee.
Jovic has missed four straight games with a pinched nerve in his right hip. He'll retake the hardwood Wednesday night, but he may not see as large of a role as he previously had. The Heat are now fully healthy, and the pairing of Kel'el Ware and Bam Adebayo has been a clear positive. Jovic is averaging 21.4 minutes per game this season.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to play
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
Jovic was previously listed as questionable, but he appears likely to return from a four-game absence. With Kel'el Ware playing so well alongside Bam Adebayo, Jovic isn't guaranteed many minutes against the Bucks.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable vs. Bucks
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has a chance to conclude a four-game absence with a hip injury. The Heat have four players listed questionable for Wednesday, so Pelle Larsson and Simone Fontecchio could be needed to soak up plenty of minutes, depending on who's available in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Missing third straight game
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic will be sidelined for a third consecutive game due to a left hip injury, but he could be cleared to return for the second leg of the Heat's back-to-back set Monday against the Mavericks in Miami. The absences of Jovic and Andrew Wiggins (hip) means Jaime Jaquez and Simone Fontecchio will likely continue to see additional minutes off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) is out for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Jovic is set to miss a second consecutive game with a hip injury. The forward didn't travel with the team to Chicago, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, so he appears to be doubtful for Sunday's matchup in Philadelphia. Jaime Jaquez and Simone Fontecchio should both see a boost in minutes Friday.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Ruled out vs. Golden State
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) won't play Wednesday against the Warriors.
Jovic was bumped to doubtful earlier in the day, so this update comes as no surprise. Simone Fontecchio and Jaime Jaquez will presumably be asked to pick up the slack Wednesday in Jovic's absence.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Quiet in win
Rotowire
Jovic totaled five points (2-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), one rebound and two assists across 15 minutes during Monday's 115-113 victory over the Knicks.
Ever since his 29-point game against Portland on Nov. 8, Jovic has not contributed much on the stat sheet, averaging 4.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 0.5 threes in his last four games, shooting a measly 25.9 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from three. Despite Bam Adebayo (toe) missing time, Jovic has been unable to capitalize, and as a result, he is seeing his role decrease.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Shines off bench in win Saturday
Rotowire
Jovic ended with 29 points (10-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals over 31 minutes during Saturday's 136-131 win over the Trail Blazers.
Jovic has surpassed the 10-point mark just twice this season, and both instances have come off the bench -- the other was a 20-point effort against the Grizzlies on Oct. 24. This was one of Jovic's most complete performances of his young NBA career, as he ended just one rebound and three assists away from a triple-double. The Serbian forward should continue to have a big role in the rotation after this impressive outing.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Upgraded to probable Thursday
Rotowire
Jovic (hip) has been upgraded to probable for Thursday's matchup with San Antonio.
Jovic suffered a hip contusion Tuesday against Charlotte, but his probable tag suggests he will play through it. He will continue to play behind Kel'el Ware as the backup big man. Jovic is averaging 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks and 2.0 threes made on 48.3 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free-throw line through four games (one start) this season.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Sees 22 minutes in win
Rotowire
Jovic produced 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds and two assists over 22 minutes during Tuesday's 144-117 victory over Charlotte.
Pegged as a breakout candidate prior to Opening Night, Jovic has been a little underwhelming to open the season with the Heat opting to roll with a bigger lineup featuring Kel'el Ware next to Bam Adebayo. Through four regular-season contests, Jovic is averaging 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.0 three-pointers. He does have some room to grow and is still on pace to return 10th-round value in nine-category formats.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Scores 20 points off bench
Rotowire
Jovic ended with 20 points (6-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 27 minutes during Friday's 146-114 win over Memphis.
Jovic shifted to the bench, making way for Kel'el Ware, who was elevated to starting center. Despite the move, Jovic delivered an encouraging performance, ending as one of two Heat players to score at least 20 points. It appears as though the starting lineup could change depending on the matchup, with Jovic and Ware likely to be the interchangeable pieces. With that said, he should be rostered in most leagues, given his playing time should be relatively consistent.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: With first unit Wednesday
Rotowire
Jovic will start Wednesday's season opener against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic will get the Opening Night opportunity in the first unit over Kel'el Ware. It remains to be seen if the move will stick moving forward. Over 10 outings as a starter last regular season, Jovic averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 19.7 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Goes through practice
Rotowire
Jovic (back) practiced in full Thursday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic is dealing with lower back pain and missed the past two exhibition games for Miami. However, the team was being overly cautious with the forward after a long summer at EuroBasket. Jovic appears likely to open the season as a starter in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic (back) will not play in Sunday's game against the Magic, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic is dealing with lower back pain and will not travel with the team. The Heat also play Monday in Atlanta, and it's unlikely Jovic will be available for that one. With a strong preseason under his belt, Jovic may have done enough to win a starting role.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Starting in preseason opener
Rotowire
Jovic will start in Saturday's preseason game against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Fresh off signing a four-year, $62.4 million extension with the Heat on Wednesday, Jovic will get the starting nod over Kel'el Ware in the team's preseason opener. Jovic appeared in 46 regular-season games (10 starts) due largely to a fractured right hand in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 25.1 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Scores team-high 24 points
Rotowire
Jovic logged 24 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Monday's 138-83 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic was the only positive on a night the Heat would rather forget. Jovic put together an encouraging season, but given the Heat's roster could be headed for change, it's unclear what his role will look like moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Plays well in loss
Rotowire
Jovic notched 11 points (4-12 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 121-112 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
After logging a single scoreless minute in Game 1, Miami made some rotation tweaks in Game 2 in what was a much tighter affair. Jovic played key minutes down the stretch at the expense of Andrew Wiggins, and it's likely that he could see a similar role going forward with the series shifting back to Miami.
... See More... See Less
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Available for Friday
Rotowire
Jovic (hand) is available for Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has been out of action since Feb. 23 due to a fractured right hand. His improved health is a positive development, although the 21-year-old isn't guaranteed to see any minutes Friday with the Heat's primary rotation intact.
