Tyler Herro will miss his 16th straight game with a sprained right ankle when the Miami Heat host the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night, but a report suggests he could be back in the lineup soon.
Although the Heat have yet to offer a timetable on Herro’s return, the Miami Herald reported Tuesday, citing an anonymous league source, that “there’s optimism that Herro will be able to make his return within the next week.”
Herro has been seen shooting around after practices without any noticeable brace or wrap on the right ankle he injured during a Nov. 9 game in Memphis. He was averaging career highs in points (25.3), rebounds (5.6) and assists (5.0) in seven appearances before getting hurt.
After Wednesday's game against the Hornets, the Heat will host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday and Saturday and end a four-game homestand against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday.
Getting Herro back would be a boost to a Miami offense that ranks 13th in offensive rating but has been out-scored by 2.8 points per game in the fourth quarter this season. Herro has been among the Heat’s best clutch-time scorers over the last three seasons.
Other injury news
Bam Adebayo will miss his fifth straight game with a left hip contusion Wednesday night against the Hornets. Adebayo traveled with the team for Monday’s game in Charlotte but hasn’t played since exiting the first half of Miami’s Nov. 30 game against the Indiana Pacers with a lingering hip injury. The Heat don’t have a timetable for his return.
Haywood Highsmith will miss his fourth straight game with a lower back contusion.
Josh Richardson is listed as questionable with a non-Covid illness.