The Miami Heat are trying to find their footing again after a rough stretch, and Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks could be a pivotal moment. But as they prepare to stop the slide-having dropped eight of their last nine games-the latest injury report isn’t offering much relief. Bam Adebayo, the team’s defensive anchor and emotional leader, has now joined Tyler Herro and others on the sidelines, raising fresh concerns about Miami’s ability to steady the ship.
Let’s start with Herro, who’s been battling a toe contusion that’s kept him out of the lineup for most of December. He’ll miss his sixth straight game on Friday-his eighth in the last nine overall.
The Heat have clearly felt his absence, especially on the offensive end where his scoring punch and shot creation have been sorely missed. Still, there’s a bit of optimism.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra said before Tuesday’s loss to Toronto that he’s “very encouraged” by Herro’s progress, along with Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson-both of whom are listed as probable for Friday’s tilt.
But the bigger surprise is Adebayo’s appearance on the injury report, listed with “lower back soreness.” That’s a development that raises eyebrows, especially after his underwhelming performance against the Raptors, where he managed just nine points on 4-of-11 shooting. It’s not often you see Bam struggle like that, and if the back issue has been lingering, it could help explain some of the recent dip in production.
To his credit, Adebayo isn’t using the injury as an excuse. He’s been candid about his struggles, averaging just 11.2 points over his last four games. But he’s also keeping perspective.
“It sucks,” Adebayo said. “But it’s part of the NBA, it’s a long season.
So, fighting through whatever I’ve got to fight through, figure out how I can impact winning, and do that instead of focusing on shots not falling. Just play basketball and shots will eventually start falling.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want from your franchise cornerstone. Even when the numbers aren't there, Bam is staying locked in on the bigger picture-impacting the game however he can and trusting that the offense will come around.
Part of what Adebayo and the Heat are adjusting to is a new offensive identity. Miami’s been trying to run a more free-flowing, up-tempo system this season, and that transition hasn’t always been smooth.
For a player like Bam, who thrives in structured sets and thrives off two-man actions, the adjustment is real. But if he can find his rhythm within this new style, it could unlock another level for the Heat’s offense.
At 15-15, Miami is teetering on the edge of a .500 record, and Friday’s game carries a little extra weight. With Herro still out and Adebayo now a question mark, the Heat are staring at a critical point in their season. Whether it’s grit, adjustments, or just getting healthy, something has to give soon-or Miami risks slipping further in a crowded Eastern Conference.