Heat injury updates: Good news for Tyler Herro, bad news for Terry Rozier

Tyler Herro is traveling with the Miami Heat for the upcoming three-game trip and there is optimism he can be back in the lineup as soon as Friday’s game in Houston, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Herro, who has been out since Feb. 23 with knee and foot injuries, received a PRP injection in his right foot three weeks ago and has been ramping up to a return. When asked before Thursday night’s loss to the 76ers if Herro would play again this season, Erik Spoelstra replied, “We’ll let you know.”

Adding Herro to the mix comes at an important time as the Heat are jockeying for a guaranteed playoff berth. Thursday’s loss dropped Miami back to seventh, a half-game behind the sixth-place Indiana Pacers. 

Wins on Friday (in Houston) and Sunday (in Indiana) would put the Heat on track to climb out of the seventh seed and the play-in tournament.

Herro has been limited to just 36 games this season but is averaging career-highs in points (20.8), 3-point shooting percentage (39.9) and assists (4.4). 

A potential Herro return becomes even more meaningful if Terry Rozier is forced to miss time because of a knee injury he sustained at the end of Thursday night’s game. With less than 15 seconds left in the game, Rozier bumped knees with 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and crumpled to the floor as he grabbed at his left knee. He needed some help getting off the court after the final buzzer.

“I don’t know what happened but I’m good now, though,” Rozier said in the locker room, where he was walking with a noticeable limp. “I’ll be alright.”

If Rozier is forced to miss time, getting Herro back can help replace some of the scoring Rozier has recently provided. Over his last four games, Rozier is averaging 26.3 points and has made several tough shots at the end of the shot clock to bail out Miami’s offense.