The Miami Heat's early-season momentum has officially hit a wall. After a promising start that helped mask some underlying concerns, the wheels have started to wobble - and now they’re coming off.
Miami has dropped six of its last seven games, and the issues that once lurked in the background are now front and center. Chief among them: the puzzling regression of fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic.
It’s hard to sugarcoat what’s going on with Jovic right now. The Heat locked him into a four-year, $62.4 million extension before the season - a vote of confidence in his future - but so far, the returns have been anything but reassuring. Now dealing with an elbow contusion, Jovic’s season has gone from disappointing to downright concerning.
Even before the injury, the numbers - and the eye test - weren’t doing him any favors.
This isn’t a rookie hitting the usual bumps in the road. Jovic is in his fourth NBA season.
He’s been part of the rotation for two years running, even starting stretches during both campaigns. Heading into this season, there was a real case to be made that he was one of the most important pieces on the roster - not just for what he could become, but for what Miami needed him to be right now.
That’s what makes his struggles so frustrating. The Heat didn’t just hand him an extension on potential alone.
They were counting on him to deliver in the present. His shooting was supposed to help space the floor.
His playmaking was meant to compensate for the team’s lack of a true lead guard. The vision was clear: a 6'10" forward with range, feel, and versatility, thriving in Miami’s faster-paced, free-flowing offense.
But that breakout season everyone was waiting on? It hasn’t shown up.
Instead, Jovic is putting up career-worst shooting numbers across the board. He’s hitting just 39 percent from the field and a rough 28.3 percent from three - a steep drop for a guy who was expected to be a floor-spacer. Even his free throws, typically a reliable indicator of shooting touch, have dipped to 71.8 percent, well below his career average of 78.6.
And it’s not just the stats - it’s the role, or lack thereof. Jovic opened the season in the starting lineup.
But before the injury, he wasn’t even guaranteed a spot in the nightly rotation. That tells you everything about where his game is right now.
He’s not making an impact on defense, and if the offense isn’t clicking either, it’s tough to justify giving him minutes - especially on a team trying to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference race.
Through 18.3 minutes per game, he’s averaging just 7.2 points and 2.6 assists, with 1.8 turnovers. For a player whose value is tied almost entirely to his offensive output, that’s simply not enough.
The Heat need more than flashes - they need consistency, efficiency, and impact. Right now, they’re not getting any of that.
Still, it’s hard to imagine the Heat giving up on Jovic anytime soon. That contract extension signals a long-term investment, and Miami has a history of developing players over time. But if this spiral continues, the front office may have to start asking tough questions - not just about Jovic’s role, but about the financial commitment tied to his future.
There’s still time for him to turn things around. The tools are there.
The opportunity - once he’s healthy - will likely be there, too. But the clock is ticking.
And for a team that’s suddenly struggling to stay afloat, they can’t afford to wait forever.