Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro breaks hand, doubtful to return to playoffs

Apr 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (12) in the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (12) in the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro suffered a broken right hand in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, likely ending his postseason. The team announced he will not return to the game.

It’s a tough blow for the Heat, who entered Game 1 against the top-seeded Bucks as 9.5-point underdogs and need a lot to go right to pull off the upset.

Herro suffered the injury when diving for a loose ball in the final minute of the second quarter. The Heat went into halftime with a 68-55 lead. The Heat announced that Herro broke his right hand and would not return during the intermission.

Immediately following the injury, Herro went to the sideline in obvious pain but was not allowed to substitute out because the ball was still in play. While grabbing at his right hand, Herro caught a pass in the corner and attempted a shot as he grimaced in pain. The half ended seconds later and he quickly retreated to the locker room.

Herro had 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting (2 of 4 from 3-point range), two rebounds and two assists in 20 first-half minutes. He averaged 20.1 points on 43.9% shooting (37.8% from 3-point range), 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season.

Duncan Robinson took Herro’s place in the starting lineup to begin the second half.

In another high-impact injury, the Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion in the first half and was also ruled out for the remainder of the game. He exited with six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes. His status for the rest of the series is unclear.

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