The Miami Heat may have lost Nikola Jovic for the entire season because of a gruesome injury on Monday night. Inconsistent play aside, this is a worst-case scenario for the young forward
It's hard to imagine how Jovic's nightmarish start to the season could've gotten any worse, but it just did. Less than one minute after checking in for the Heat on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors, Jovic suffered what appeared to be a serious elbow injury. Leaving the court with a protected brace around his arm, Jovic is likely to be sidelined for a while, if not the rest of the season.
If there's any hope to find after the fact, it's that X-rays came back negative for Jovic. He's not completely out of the woods yet and is scheduled for an MRI to find out the extent of the injury.
Nevertheless, it just adds to the frustration that has surrounded his fourth season with the team.
Nikola Jovic's struggles this season
After entering this season as a popular breakout candidate, especially with the way he impressed during the EuroBasket Tournament with Team Serbia, there was an expectation of a big developmental leap for Jovic.
And during the preseason, Jovic continue to show that momentum.
However, it's almost as if something shifted once the regular season began. Because Jovic hasn't just struggled, but he's looked completely out of sorts this year.
Even before the injury, Jovic had completely fallen out of the rotation. Because of injuries, Jovic was getting small opportunities to prove himself again. However, his inconsistencies so far this season have told the stronger story for Jovic.
In 19 games played, Jovic is averaging seven points and four rebounds on 39 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent shooting from 3-point range. And, to be quite honest, his bigger struggles extend beyond just the stat sheet.
Too many times, Jovic has looked lost in the Heat's new offense. He's indecisive with the ball, and when it feels like he knows what to do with it, it's more often than not the wrong decision. Plus, it's no secret that Jovic isn't the strongest defender on the other end of the floor.
And if Jovic isn't adding value to the Heat offensively, there's little reason to keep him on the floor.
The hope was that this was just a slow start or a slump from Jovic, but the most recent injury certainly throws a wrench in all of that.