Miami Heat Reinforcements Hopeful for Return Amid Injury Struggles

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Miami Heat welcomed back some reinforcements as they prepared to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed optimism about his team’s rotation becoming more complete soon.

Andrew Wiggins, who has been battling injuries, was listed as out for the matchup due to right hamstring tendinopathy. Spoelstra shared in a pre-game interview that Wiggins was experiencing tightness over the last two games, emphasizing the importance of proper care. “It’s been getting tight the last two games,” Spoelstra said following the morning shootaround at Temple University. “We feel this is the right step, right now. We will see how he progresses.”

Since joining the Heat via trade from the Golden State Warriors, Wiggins has faced multiple injuries, having missed a total of 10 games and only being available for 15 since the Feb. 6 trade deadline. The team was hesitant to grant an extension to Jimmy Butler, which ultimately benefited the Warriors, due to player availability concerns.

Spoelstra expressed empathy for Wiggins during this challenging time, stating, “There’s been a lot of things this year that you can’t even explain, different guys going out at not the most ideal times. I know Wiggs just really wants to be out here. And everybody can see it — when he’s out there, he makes us different.”

The coach highlighted that Wiggins appeared to be pushing through discomfort during the Heat’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks earlier this week. “By the time we got to the fourth quarter, it looked like he was gutting it out,” Spoelstra said. “But we also have to be responsible right now and make sure it doesn’t turn into something else.”

Tyler Robinson, another key player, was also sidelined due to left-sacroiliac joint dysfunction after previously missing two games because of lower-back pain. Spoelstra explained the importance of cautious management, noting that Robinson’s situation is different than last year’s back issues. “We think we will be able to manage it,” he said. “We want to be responsible and give as much treatment and then appropriate ramp-up.”

Spoelstra confirmed that both Wiggins and Robinson are continuing to work towards returning to the lineup. “Now, the reason we left them back is they can do more work around the clock,” he said, adding that the trainers are encouraged about their progress.

Additionally, undrafted rookie forward Keshad Johnson and two two-way players, Josh Christopher and Isaiah Stevens, have returned from the G League where the Sioux Falls Skyforce were recently eliminated from playoff contention. “They’re ready,” Spoelstra stated of the G League players. “They just have to be plug-and-play if they do get an opportunity.”

Though Christopher and Stevens are ineligible for the postseason due to their contracts, the Heat’s roster currently stands at the maximum of 15 players. Overall, the team aims to navigate its injury struggles while maintaining competitiveness in the final games of the season.