Jovic (hand) was cleared to begin on-court work, but there's still no timetable for his return to game action, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic sustained the fractured second metacarpal on his right hand against the Bucks on Feb. 23, though the injury didn't require surgery. The 21-year-old's return to on-court work suggests that he could potentially come back this season, and he can be considered week-to-week until the club provides another update on his recovery.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Bypassing hand surgery
Rotowire
Jovic won't require surgery to repair the fractured second metacarpal on his right hand, but his status for the rest of the season remains in question, Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald report.
Last Tuesday, the Heat announced that Jovic would wear a splint on his right hand and be re-evaluated in four weeks before a determination is made on his next steps. With Jovic sidelined through at least late March, the Heat have opened up more minutes at forward for Kyle Anderson and Haywood Highsmith in recent games.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Fractures hand, set to miss time
Rotowire
Jovic has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a fractured right hand.
Jovic suffered the injury during the first half of Sunday's game, and X-rays revealed a fracture on the second metacarpal of his right hand. The Heat likely won't provide a clear timeline for Jovic's return until a determination is made on whether or not he needs surgery, but even if he avoids a procedure, the third-year forward will be headed for a multi-week absence. His absence could allow Kyle Anderson to take on an elevated role at power forward, and the Heat could also open up a spot in the rotation for one of Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Cleared to play Friday
Rotowire
Jovic (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Raptors, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic was added to Friday's injury report due to a stomach illness, but he's been given the green light to play. He's averaged 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists over 29.8 minutes per game since the beginning of January.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable with stomach illness
Rotowire
Jovic is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors due to a stomach illness.
Jovic is a late addition to the injury report, which isn't a good sign. If he's unable to play, Jaime Jaquez, Duncan Robinson, Pelle Larsson and Kyle Anderson would be candidates for increased roles.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to play Thursday
Rotowire
Jovic is listed as probable for Thursday's game versus the Mavericks due to a left knee contusion.
Jovic continues to deal with a left ankle issue but isn't expected to sit out Thursday. With Bam Adebayo (knee) questionable and Andrew Wiggins (illness) out, Jovic could receive an increased role in Miami's frontcourt against Dallas.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Jovic was previously carrying a probable tag due to a mild ankle issue. The forward has emerged as a reliable fantasy contributor with averages of 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 30.3 minutes per game over his last 18 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Dealing with ankle sprain
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Jovic (ankle) is probable for Monday's game against the Celtics, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic was recently dealing with a calf injury but is now managing an ankle issue, neither of which is reportedly serious. Over his last 18 appearances, Jovic has averaged 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 30.3 minutes per game.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Likely to play Friday
Rotowire
Jovic (calf) is probable for Friday's game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Although Jovic is dealing with a calf contusion, the issue will not likely keep him out of action Friday. The 2022 first-rounder has already been playing an expanded role for the Heat, and his rest-of-season fantasy outlook was bolstered by the trade of Jimmy Butler on Wednesday. Over his last six games, Jovic has averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.0 threes in 33.9 minutes.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Drains season-high five threes
Rotowire
Jovic closed Tuesday's 133-124 loss to Chicago with 20 points (7-10 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes off the bench.
The Heat once again went with a tight frontcourt rotation that saw Bam Adebayo, Kel'el Ware and Jovic each play more than 30 minutes, and as a result, the latter set a new season high in made threes while reaching 20 points for the first time since Jan. 11. Jovic has been a reliable contributor from the second unit, scoring in double digits in nine of the last 10 games while averaging 13.9 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 boards, 2.7 threes and 0.9 steals in 31.2 minutes a contest.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Scores 15 points
Rotowire
Jovic chipped in 15 points (5-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 47 minutes during Monday's 125-119 double-overtime win over Orlando.
With Jimmy Butler suspended through the trade deadline, he's potentially played his last game with the Heat. Jovic is one of a number of players who could benefit from a fantasy perspective, and he's been a top-75 player in nine-category formats over his last five games. In that stretch, Jovic averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.8 three-pointers.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Solid contributions off bench
Rotowire
Jovic amassed 17 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 31 minutes during Saturday's 106-97 victory over the Nets.
Jovic continues to provide a spark off the Heat bench, leading the reserves in scoring while contributing two steals and two blocks on the defensive side of the floor. Jovic's role during the regular season has increased due to the ongoing absence of Jimmy Butler (suspension). Since Jan. 1, Jovic has averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds over 28.5 minutes per game.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Dishes out career-high eight dimes
Rotowire
Jovic produced 12 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, eight assists and one block across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 117-108 loss to the Lakers.
Jovic's career-high eight assists didn't come out of nowhere, as he is averaging 4.5 assists over his last 10 outings. The 21-year-old forward is also averaging 28.7 minutes per contest over that span and should continue to be one of Miami's primary playmakers in their bench unit alongside Terry Rozier.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Stuffs stat sheet in win
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Jovic provided 21 points (8-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-98 victory over Portland.
The third-year pro filled in the stat sheet while leading the Heat's bench in points. He also finished as the club's second-leading scorer behind Tyler Herro (32 points). Jovic has seen a significant uptick in playing time of late, and he has turned things around after an underwhelming start to the season. Over his last 10 outings, the 21-year-old has averaged 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.9 steals across 26.9 minutes per game.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Back to bench against Kings
Rotowire
Jovic is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Kings.
After scoring 17 points in Saturday's start against the Jazz, Jovic will revert to his usual role off the bench Monday and cede his spot in Miami's first unit to Jaime Jaquez. Over 14 contests as a reserve this season, Jovic is averaging 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 threes in 23.9 minutes, which dampens his streaming appeal a bit against the Kings.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Enters starting lineup
Rotowire
Jovic will start Saturday's game against the Jazz.
With Jimmy Butler beginning his seven-game suspension, Terry Rozier and Jovic will enter the starting lineup, shifting Duncan Robinson to the second unit. Jovic has played well in three straight games and is someone for fantasy managers to watch closely -- he averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers in that span.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to suit up Sunday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Rockets.
Jovic sustained the left ankle sprain during Thursday's loss to the Magic, though he was able to play in Saturday's loss to Atlanta. The 21-year-old has appeared in five consecutive outings for the Heat (one start), during which he has averaged 8.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 22.4 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go against Atlanta
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is available for Saturday's game versus the Hawks.
Jovic has been upgraded from questionable to available Saturday despite dealing with a left ankle sprain. The 21-year-old big man is averaging 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.5 minutes across his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable to play Saturday
Rotowire
Jovic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Jovic entered Thursday's game against the Magic on the injury report due to a left ankle sprain. He was able to play through the issue across the first three quarters of the game, but he aggravated the injury in the fourth frame and is now in danger of missing his 10th game of the regular season. Jovic's absence Saturday, paired with Jimmy Butler (conditioning) and Josh Richardson (heel) both being ruled out, would mean more playing time for Jaime Jaquez, Haywood Highsmith, Pelle Larsson and Alec Burks.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Departs with ankle sprain
Rotowire
Jovic exited in the fourth quarter of Thursday's 89-88 win over the Magic with a left ankle sprain and didn't return, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. He ended the night with eight points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five assists, four rebounds and three steals over 24 minutes.
Prior to the game, Jovic appeared on the Heat's injury report with a left ankle sprain, so he seemingly suffered an aggravation of the injury. He left the game after he appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg with just over 10 minutes remaining. He'll be considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks until the team provides an update on his status.
