Norman Powell Playing Through Pain, Focused on Winning and All-Star Dreams as Heat Seek Identity
Despite dealing with calf discomfort, Heat forward Norman Powell suited up and played against the Nets on Thursday - a move that says a lot about who he is as a competitor. Powell isn’t one to sit out unless he absolutely has to. His mentality is clear: if he can walk, he’ll play.
“I think it’s not too much of a concern with me,” Powell said. “Every place I’ve been, every organization knows what type of player I am, my mentality, playing through injuries, trying to be on the court as much as possible.”
That mindset isn’t just talk. Powell recalled breaking his hand during a game back in his Toronto days - and still finishing the contest.
Strains, tweaks, discomfort - he’s played through it all. “I push my body to the limit,” he said.
That kind of toughness resonates in a locker room, especially on a Heat team that prides itself on grit.
Powell is averaging 24.4 points per game this season, a career-best mark that has him firmly in the All-Star conversation. But while the numbers are loud, the recognition has remained elusive.
“It’s always been a goal of mine since I was a kid,” Powell said of making the All-Star team. “But a lot of that stuff is out of my control.
People have talked about it since last year. People have talked about it this year.
My job is to go out there and play the best brand of basketball that I know I’m capable of playing and help the team get wins.”
He’s right - winning cures all, and the Heat could use a dose of that right now. Miami is in the middle of a five-game losing streak, and while the offense has sputtered, Powell believes the real issue lies on the other end of the floor.
“We’ve got to be a defensive-first team,” he said. “I think we shifted a little bit because our offense was so great.
We thought, well, we can just come in and score and everybody’s going to get their shots, and it’s going to be great. But teams are adjusting, so now we have to really adjust.”
That’s classic Heat culture - defense first, always. Powell’s message is a reminder that this team’s identity isn’t built on flashy scoring runs, but on grinding out stops and making opponents uncomfortable.
“It’s still early,” he added. “We’ve still got time, but the identity of who we have to be is going to be a defensive Miami Heat team.”
Rozier’s Grievance Still Unresolved
Off the court, the Heat are still waiting on clarity regarding Terry Rozier’s status. The NBA and the Players Association held a grievance hearing this week in New York concerning the league’s decision to withhold Rozier’s salary in an escrow-like account. Rozier is on indefinite unpaid leave following his arrest on federal charges tied to illegal gambling.
No resolution was reached during the hearing, and a formal ruling isn’t expected until sometime next month - likely after the league’s Jan. 7 contract guarantee deadline. The situation remains in flux, and for now, Miami continues to operate without one of its key guards.
Dru Smith’s Road Back
One of the more inspiring stories in the Heat locker room belongs to Dru Smith. After battling through serious knee and Achilles injuries, Smith has not only made his way back - he’s earned a three-year contract and carved out a role in the rotation.
“I’m just proud of myself for making it back to this point,” Smith said. “Honestly, a year ago, I would have been like, ‘I have no idea what it’s going to look like.’”
Availability has been a challenge throughout his career, but this season, Smith has been there night in and night out - a personal milestone that means more than any stat line.
“That was a huge thing going into the year,” he said. “Obviously, that’s been one of my biggest issues - just being able to be available for the team. So just trying to make sure that I’m continuing to keep up with everything, continue to take care of my body because we’re still not through December and I haven’t seen it through December in a couple of years.”
What’s Next for Miami
The Heat are at a crossroads. The losing streak has exposed some cracks, especially on defense, but the team still has time to re-center.
Powell is playing through pain, chasing both team wins and a personal milestone in his first All-Star nod. Rozier’s status remains a question mark, and Smith’s resilience is a reminder that perseverance can pay off.
For Miami, the message is simple: get back to who they are - a defense-first, hard-nosed team that makes life miserable for opponents. If they can do that, the wins - and maybe even some individual accolades - will follow.