Miami Heat could get key rotation player back for Friday's game vs Trail Blazers

It’s been a rough stretch with a spate of injuries for the Miami Heat but there was encouraging news out of Thursday’s practice.

Tyler Herro was seen getting in on-court work after practice. Dressed in a black hoodie, he was putting up static shots and shots on the move with a Heat staffer. Kevin Love was excused from practice for personal reasons, but the team hasn’t ruled him out for Friday night’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

This was the first time Herro was seen working out after practice since he was sidelined with knee and foot injuries last month. He has missed 16 straight games and received a PRP injection in his right foot two weeks ago. Part of his recovery included getting back on the court this week.

“He’s on that next phase of his return,” coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday as Herro continued his workout on the practice court. “We don't have a timeline, but it's definitely encouraging that he’s able to get on the wood and is starting to get ready. This is part of the ramp-up. This is part of the plan.”

While Herro is still at least a week away from a return, Love could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday night. Love was upgraded to questionable before Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors but ultimately did not play. He will be upgraded again and the Heat will make a decision closer to tip-off.

“He has made tremendous progress,” Spoelstra said of Love. “His status will be upgraded tomorrow and we’ll see how he feels.”

In other injury news, Jimmy Butler was a partial participant in practice because of an illness. He missed Tuesday’s game with a non-COVID illness and his status for Friday night is unclear.

Duncan Robinson was with the team but didn’t go through any workouts for the portion of practice open to the media. He is ruled out for Friday night’s game.