Smith notched six points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, five assists and one steal over 20 minutes during Thursday's 107-101 loss to San Antonio.
Smith seems to be holding his own as Miami's backup point guard. Through five games, he's seeing 17.7 minutes per contest with averages of 5.8 points, 4.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 three-pointers on 48.0 percent shooting from the field.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Strong two-way performance
Rotowire
Smith had 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt), three rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals across 21 minutes during Friday's 146-114 victory over Memphis.
Smith tallied four combined steals and blocks, playing a handful of extra minutes as the Heat blew out the Grizzlies. Prior to his season-ending injury last season, Smith was building some nice momentum as a 3-and-D player for the Heat. While his nightly role remains unclear at this stage, he is certainly worth monitoring, in case his play forces changes to the rotation.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Not starting Friday
Rotowire
Smith is not in the starting lineup for Friday's exhibition versus the Grizzlies, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Davion Mitchell will replace Smith in the starting unit for Friday's game, so Smith will likely be relegated to minutes in the teens while working in a reserve role. Over four preseason games, Smith has averaged 4.5 points across 12.1 minutes per game.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Starting Monday
Rotowire
Smith (undisclosed) is available and starting in Monday's preseason game against the Hawks.
Smith sat out Sunday's preseason loss to Orlando, though he'll return against Atlanta. The 27-year-old guard has appeared in three preseason games thus far, averaging 5.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Will not play Sunday
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Smith (undisclosed) will not play in Sunday's preseason game against Orlando, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
The Heat are giving Smith the night off in what appears to be a maintenance-related decision. For now, the expectation is that Smith will be active Monday against the Hawks.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Sees 11 minutes off bench
Rotowire
Smith (Achilles) played 11 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 126-118 preseason loss to the Magic, finishing with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt), a rebound, a steal and two blocks.
Smith made his long-awaited return from an Achilles injury in this contest. The fourth-year guard is expected to have a role off the bench for Miami after agreeing to a three-year, $7.9 million deal back in August. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 boards and 1.6 assists per game in 2024-25 across 14 regular-season contests.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Targeting preseason return
Rotowire
Smith, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, said Monday that he's targeting a return in the preseason, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Smith recently began doing 5-on-5 drills and it sounds like he'll a full go in the near future. Smith agreed to a three-year, $7.9 million deal back in August, and it seems like the Heat really liked what they saw from him last season. He appeared in 14 regular-season contests with averages of 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals across 19.1 minutes per game.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Inks pact with Miami
Rotowire
Smith (Achilles) agreed to a three-year, $7.9 million deal with the Heat on Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Smith will return to Miami after spending the majority of the first three years of his career with the organization. The 27-year-old guard missed most of the 2023-24 campaign due to a torn ACL and appeared in only 14 regular-season games during the 2024-25 season before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon in December. In those 14 appearances (one start), he averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals across 19.1 minutes per game. He'll likely compete for playing time with Davion Mitchell, Kasparas Jakucionis and Terry Rozier (ankle), though it remains unclear whether Smith will be cleared to return by Opening Night.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Qualifying offer extended
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The Heat extended a qualifying offer to Smith (Achilles) on Tuesday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Smith, who was on a two-way contract with Miami in 2024-25, is now set to become a restricted free agent. Smith underwent surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon back in December, putting his status for Opening Night of 2025-26 in doubt. It's not a surprise that the Heat want to keep him around, however, as he was outstanding in 14 regular-season appearances with 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals on 50.8 percent shooting from the field in 19.1 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
The Heat announced Friday that Smith underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.
Smith ruptured his Achilles against Brooklyn on Monday and has suffered a season-ending injury in back-to-back years. Smith is set to become a free agent this offseason and will likely look to earn a contract as a backup point guard.
Smith sustained a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in Monday's 110-95 win over Brooklyn, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The setback is a devastating one for Smith, who had already missed most of the 2023-24 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee last November. Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way deal this July and had recently worked his way into the rotation, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 26.1 minutes over a stretch of eight games before going down with the Achilles injury early in Monday's win. He'll continue to occupy a two-way slot while he recovers from the injury, though the Heat could eventually waive him in order to sign a healthy player.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Won't return Monday
Rotowire
Smith (lower leg) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Nets.
Smith suffered what appeared to be a significant lower left leg injury during Monday's game and was quickly ruled out. He'll finish the contest scoreless (0-1 FG) with one rebound and one assist in seven minutes. Expect Alec Burks and Pelle Larsson to pick up the slack. Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Smith will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. We should have a clearer picture of his status following the test.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Making second career start
Rotowire
Smith is part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Smith will make his first start of the season Saturday, stepping into the first unit in place of Jimmy Butler (illness). Smith has logged more than 25 minutes in five straight games, averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals during that stretch.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Records six steals
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Smith closed with seven points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and six steals over 31 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 125-124 overtime loss to Detroit.
Smith continues to make noise for Miami, recording a career-high six steals in this loss. With so many rumors swirling around the future of Jimmy Butler, Smith is someone that could step into a larger role if Miami deals their star forward. Through six December contests, Smith is averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 three-pointers.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Smith will likely be available after missing two straight games due to a knee injury. However, he has had a volatile role with the Heat, and he's not guaranteed to see any rotation minutes on a nightly basis.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith is slated to miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. His role has been sporadic this season, so his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation, especially considering the Heat are getting Terry Rozier (foot) back from a two-game absence.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Sunday with bone bruise
Rotowire
Smith won't play in Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise.
Smith sat out Friday's practice with the injury. The two-way player has been largely outside of the Heat's rotation this season, though he saw 25 minutes off the bench in Miami's most recent game Monday and recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over the 76ers. The Heat will get Jaime Jaquez (ankle) back from a one-game absence Sunday, and he could end up absorbing most of Smith's minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Sits out practice
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Smith didn't participate in Friday's practice due to a swollen knee, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
With Terry Rozier (foot) out for Miami's most recent contest, Smith logged 25 minutes of action. However, with Rozier nearing a return to the lineup, Smith will likely return to a depth role in the team's backcourt. Regardless, the 26-year-old guard's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Back to bench
Rotowire
Smith won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic.
With most of Miami's regulars resting during the preseason finale, Smith drew a spot start. However, aside from Josh Richardson (shoulder), the Heat are healthy heading into the regular season, so Smith isn't guaranteed playing time on Opening Night.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Season over
Rotowire
The Heat announced Friday that Smith (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
An MRI revealed a third-degree right knee sprain for Smith, which will result in a premature end to his season. The second-year guard averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 triples across 14.6 minutes in nine games. His absence will thin the depth in Miami's backcourt until they make a corresponding move.
