Jovic (back) will not play in Sunday's game against the Magic, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic is dealing with lower back pain and will not travel with the team. The Heat also play Monday in Atlanta, and it's unlikely Jovic will be available for that one. With a strong preseason under his belt, Jovic may have done enough to win a starting role.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Dishes out seven assists in defeat
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Jovic supplied nine points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 23 minutes in Monday's 103-93 preseason loss to the Bucks.
Jovic struggled from beyond the arc in his second preseason start, though he still stuffed the stat sheet and led all players in assists. The 22-year-old forward also matched the game high in steals. He'll continue competing with Kel'el Ware this preseason for a starting spot alongside Bam Adebayo.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Chips in 10 points in start
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Jovic recorded 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one block across 12 minutes in Saturday's 126-118 preseason loss to the Magic.
Jovic got the starting nod in Miami's preseason opener, while Kel'el Ware came off the bench. The battle for the starting spot next to Bam Adebayo will be one to watch as the preseason progresses. Jovic signed a four-year, $62.4 million extension Wednesday after appearing in just 46 regular-season games (10 starts) last season due largely to a fractured right hand. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 25.1 minutes per game in 2024-25.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Starting in preseason opener
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Jovic will start in Saturday's preseason game against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Fresh off signing a four-year, $62.4 million extension with the Heat on Wednesday, Jovic will get the starting nod over Kel'el Ware in the team's preseason opener. Jovic appeared in 46 regular-season games (10 starts) due largely to a fractured right hand in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 25.1 minutes per game.
Jovic signed a four-year, $62.4 million rookie extension with Miami on Wednesday, Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network reports.
Jovic has seen his role grow with the Heat each season since being selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The 22-year-old averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 25.1 minutes per game during the 2024-25 regular season. He returned from a hand injury for the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs and scored in double figures in two of four games against the Cavaliers. Entering his fourth NBA season, Jovic figures to be a key bench contributor for Miami, serving as the third big behind Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware.
Jovic logged 24 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Monday's 138-83 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic was the only positive on a night the Heat would rather forget. Jovic put together an encouraging season, but given the Heat's roster could be headed for change, it's unclear what his role will look like moving forward.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Plays well in loss
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Jovic notched 11 points (4-12 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 121-112 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
After logging a single scoreless minute in Game 1, Miami made some rotation tweaks in Game 2 in what was a much tighter affair. Jovic played key minutes down the stretch at the expense of Andrew Wiggins, and it's likely that he could see a similar role going forward with the series shifting back to Miami.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Available for Friday
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Jovic (hand) is available for Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has been out of action since Feb. 23 due to a fractured right hand. His improved health is a positive development, although the 21-year-old isn't guaranteed to see any minutes Friday with the Heat's primary rotation intact.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Upgraded to probable
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Jovic (hand) is listed as probable for Friday's Play-In Game versus the Hawks.
Jovic hasn't played since Feb. 23 due to a fractured right hand but is nearing a return to action. However, Coach Eric Spoelstra said that Jovic is unlikely to receive any playing time against Atlanta, even if he's in uniform, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable vs. Atlanta
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Jovic (hand) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Hawks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Despite missing the last 28 games due to a fractured right hand, Jovic has a chance to play Friday in Atlanta. The 21-year-old forward played in 46 games during the regular season, averaging a career-high 10.7 points to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent (a career high) from the floor and 37.1 percent from deep.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Won't play vs. Chicago
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Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Jovic will miss a 28th straight game due to a fractured right hand. The next opportunity for him to return to the floor for Miami will depend on the outcome of the Play-In Tournament.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable for Wednesday
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Jovic (hand) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has missed 27 straight games due to a fractured right hand. However, he has a chance to play in Wednesday's game in the Play-In Tournament in Chicago, which would give Miami a much-needed boost off the bench.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Sitting Sunday
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Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic will end up missing Miami's last 27 games due to a right hand fracture he suffered against Milwaukee on Feb. 23. It's unclear whether he'll be available for the Heat's Play-In Tournament game against the Bulls on Wednesday.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Another absence coming
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Jovic (hand) is out for Friday's game versus the Pelicans, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic hasn't played since Feb. 23 due to a right hand fracture. Jovic's next chance to suit up is Miami's regular-season finale against Washington on Sunday.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Won't play vs. Chicago
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Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
Jovic will miss his 25th consecutive game for the Heat on Wednesday due to a fractured right hand. The next opportunity for him to return to the floor will be Friday against the Pelicans.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Remaining out for Monday
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Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Philadelphia.
Jovic hasn't played since Feb. 23 due to a fractured right hand. There's no clear timetable for the 21-year-old's return to game action, though his next opportunity to feature will come Wednesday against the Bulls.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Another absence coming
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Jovic (hand) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Bucks.
Jovic's absence streak will extend to 23 games Saturday due to a fractured right hand. Jovic's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Philadelphia, though he can be considered doubtful for that contest.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Ruled out against Memphis
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Jovic (hand) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Grizzlies, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Jovic will miss a 22nd straight game for the Heat while dealing with a fractured right hand. The next opportunity for the 21-year-old big man to suit up for Miami will be Saturday against the Bucks.
