The Miami Heat have been without guard Tyler Herro for the past three games of the NBA Finals. Could Herro return in Game 4?
Down 2-1 in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, the Miami Heat could use a hero. Or Herro. Either one.
Tyler Herro has sat out for most of the Heat’s postseason run ever since he suffered a broken hand on April 16 in Game 1 of the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year has averaged 20.1 points per game this past season, but he hasn’t been able to showcase his scoring prowess on the court as he continues to work his way back up to full health.
Herro was reportedly feeling “soreness and swelling” in his hand after Game 2. His chances of suiting up for a Finals game, while slim, are not wholly impossible.
Will Herro be in the lineup for tonight’s game?
Tyler Herro injury update for Game 4 of Heat-Nuggets
According to Friday afternoon’s injury report, Herro is ruled out for Game 4.
Victor Oladipo is also out due to a knee injury; Bam Adebayo, Gabe Vincent, and Cody Zeller are all available to play.
There was some speculation that Herro would recover in time for Game 4 of the Heat-Nuggets series, but based on tonight’s injury report, the star guard will be sitting out once again. Max Strus has started in Herro’s place throughout this series.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra commented on Herro’s progress on Thursday:
"“Right now he’s not cleared to take that next step. He’s checked every box so far, but he’s not at that next step yet to clear for an NBA Finals game.”"
Two games away from elimination, the Heat face a daunting challenge in Game 4. Defending their home court and tying the series will add extra fuel to Miami’s championship hopes and perhaps buy Herro more time to get healthy for a potential Game 6 or 7 appearance, if the series lasts that long.
Losing tonight’s game, however, could see the Heat get sent home in Game 5 in Denver.
Miami will hold its breath for a crucial win today and continue to keep Herro in its prayers.