It has been a frustrating season for Miami Heat star Tyler Herro, who came off last year’s All-Star showing with and injury to his foot that got worse after he injured his ankle in the offseason. That led to Herro getting surgery just a little less than two weeks before the start of training camp, and knocked him out for the start of the season.
He came back and played five games in November and December, then injured his toe. He tried to come back after that injury, but played only one game, on December 9, and went back out. He has not played again since, giving the Miami Heat so far just six games with very efficient scoring numbers: 23.5 points, 50.5% shooting and 40.5% 3-point shooting.
But the length and the mystery surrounding his toe injury has been decidedly frustrating for Heat fans, who have–fairly–wondered why a toe contusion has required nearly a month of recovery.
Miami Heat Upgrade Tyler Herro
That appears to be changing, though. On Sunday, Herro was listed as “questionable” for the Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans game with a right big toe contusion, which is an upgrade from his “out” designation. In the NBA, a player listed as “questionable” is considered to have a 50-50 chance of playing.
This comes on the heels of an article from Heat insider Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. In postulating on how the Heat might re-integrate Herro into their lineup, Winderman let slip an eye-opening bit of intelligence.
Comparing the Hawks‘ addition of Trae Young back into their lineup–which has not gone well, Winderman linked it to potential struggles for the Heat.
“With a Herro return appearing imminent, Hawks coach Quin Snyder was asked before the Heat’s recent victory in Atlanta over Young and the Hawks about reintegrating a proven scorer into a mix that had changed direction amid such an absence,” he wrote.
Spoelstra Defended Tyler Herro
That of course was noteworthy, because we have not had much by way of solid updates on the health and return of Herro, other than to be told he was out. There was heightened speculation last month when the Heat brought Herro on a three-game road trip, leading to speculation that he would not have accompanied the team if he was not going to play–and then he did not play.
But the Heat appear poised to bring him back, perhaps even tonight. That should be a boost for the Heat’s offense, and Spoelstra has defended Herro against the notion that perhaps Miami is better off without him.
“It’s just a total overreaction that’s misguided. We need Tyler,” Spoelstra said earlier this week regarding the narrative that Herro is the reason for the team’s recent struggles. “It will be a little bit of a process working him back into the mix. But to get where we need to go, we need Tyler’s skill and talent.
“That’s what we’re working on right now. We can be very dangerous when we get guys on the same page, committing to our identity. And Tyler’s a big part of that.”
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