The Miami Heat could be without another star player when they host the Orlando Magic Friday night at Kaseya Center.
Guard Tyler Herro is listed as doubtful with a right shoulder strain, according to the latest injury report, joining Jimmy Butler (toe) and Kyle Lowry (hand) as doubtful.
4:44 Update: Herro, Butler and Lowry have all been ruled out.
It’s unclear when Herro sustained the injury. He played 36 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder, taking over as point guard for Lowry. He had 17 points and six assists on 7 of 21 shooting.
Herro, who had previously missed 18 straight games with an ankle sprain, has played in Miami’s last 10. He’s been in a bit of a slump, averaging 17.4 points on 35.6% shooting over his last five games. But his ball-handling was important for a Heat team already missing two of their top playmakers.
The Miami Heat will be without three of their best playmakers for Friday night's game against the Orlando Magic.
Butler has missed five straight games with a painful right toe injury, but has been upgraded to doubtful for Friday night’s game. It would be surprise at this point if he played. Lowry is also expected to be sidelined.
Herro was initially considered questionable, but was downgraded to doubtful Friday afternoon. That doesn’t leave the Heat with many options. Josh Richardson and Duncan Robinson are the only healthy guards on the roster. The Heat also brought R.J. Hampton back from G League assignment for added depth in the backcourt. Hampton has started two games for the Heat this season.
If there’s good news, it’s that Caleb Martin has been upgraded to probable. Martin has missed Miami’s last seven games with an ankle injury.
With Herro, Butler and Lowry likely sidelined, the Heat will rely on Hampton, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love, Orlando Robinson and Thomas Bryant.
The Magic are dealing with their own injury issues, most notable with Franz Wagner (right ankle sprain) and Wendell Carter Jr. (questionable, knee). Orlando has ruled out Wagner, Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac, among others.
After Friday, the Heat will host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday before traveling to Brooklyn to face the Nets Monday night. There’s no indication right now about whether Herro, Butler or Lowry will be available for the upcoming slate.