Tyler Herro was a late scratch for the Miami Heat on Saturday night, sidelined just hours before tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to toe and rib injuries. The announcement came as a surprise, given that Herro wasn’t listed on the team’s initial injury report.
The toe issue isn’t new - it’s been a lingering problem for Herro over the past couple of months. He’d already missed 11 games earlier this season while recovering from it, and while he managed to make his way back onto the court, it seems the injury has flared up again. The rib injury, on the other hand, is a new development.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed Herro’s status ahead of the game, offering a bit of reassurance. According to Spoelstra, the rib issue isn’t expected to keep Herro out long-term. “We’ll just continue to treat him and see how he responds,” Spoelstra said.
Still, this is another frustrating bump in the road for both Herro and the Heat. The 26-year-old guard has appeared in just 11 games so far this season. When he’s been available, he’s been productive - averaging 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting a strong 49.7% from the field and 35.8% from deep.
Offensively, Herro has continued to be a reliable scoring option. His shot-making has been efficient, and he’s shown flashes of the three-level scoring that made him such a key piece in Miami’s backcourt. But his playmaking numbers have taken a dip in the Heat’s new offensive system, and the lack of consistent floor time hasn’t helped.
The bigger issue here is rhythm - or the lack of it. For a player like Herro, who thrives on feel and timing, these stop-and-start stretches make it tough to find a groove. And for a Heat team trying to build continuity and chemistry, especially in a competitive Eastern Conference, the absence of one of their primary offensive weapons is a real challenge.
Injuries are part of the game, but Herro’s health has become a recurring storyline this season. The Heat will hope this latest setback is as short-term as Spoelstra suggests, because when Herro is on the floor, he changes the dynamic of Miami’s offense. But until he’s back - and able to stay back - the Heat will have to continue adjusting on the fly.