Heat’s Tyler Herro Sidelined with Groin Injury Ahead of Blazers Game

MIAMI, Fla. — Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has been ruled out of Tuesday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to right groin tightness, marking the first game he will miss this season. The Heat announced the update on their injury report, which also includes Kevin Love, who has been upgraded to available after being listed as probable for personal reasons.

Herro, a key player for the Heat, is averaging 24.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season. His absence comes as the Heat aim to maintain their momentum following a 128-107 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. In that game, Herro contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in 33 minutes.

“Tyler Herro has been added to the Heat’s injury report. He’s listed as questionable for tonight’s game with right groin tightness,” the team stated. Herro has been a consistent presence for the Heat, playing in all 41 games this season until now.

Meanwhile, Kevin Love, who was previously listed as questionable, has been cleared to play. Keshad Johnson, however, has been downgraded to questionable due to left shoulder inflammation.

The Heat, currently the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 21-20 record, will face a Trail Blazers team struggling at 14-28. Portland sits as the 13th seed in the Western Conference and has lost seven of its last ten games.

Herro’s injury comes at a critical time as the Heat prepare for a challenging schedule, including a Thursday night matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has relied heavily on Herro’s scoring and playmaking, particularly in the absence of other key players due to injuries earlier in the season.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized the importance of adaptability. “We’ve dealt with injuries before, and we’ll adjust accordingly,” Spoelstra said. “Tyler’s health is our priority, and we’ll make sure he’s ready to go when he’s back.”

Herro’s absence will likely increase the offensive load on Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, who have been instrumental in the Heat’s recent success. Butler, who returned to the lineup recently, has provided a boost on both ends of the court.

The Trail Blazers, led by Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, will look to capitalize on Herro’s absence. However, Portland has struggled defensively this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key categories.

As the Heat navigate this latest setback, fans will be watching closely to see how the team adjusts without one of its top performers. Herro’s status for upcoming games remains uncertain, but the team remains optimistic about his recovery.