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.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Scores team-high 24 points
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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: 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: 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: Still sidelined for Wednesday
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Jovic (hand) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Celtics.
Jovic hasn't played since Feb. 23 due to a fractured second metacarpal on his right hand. Although Jovic has opted to bypass surgery and has been cleared to return to on-court work, there is no official timetable for his return. The 21-year-old big man's next chance to suit up is Thursday's matchup with Memphis.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Progressing in recovery
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Jovic (hand) was cleared to begin on-court work, but there's still no timetable for his return to game action, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic sustained the fractured second metacarpal on his right hand against the Bucks on Feb. 23, though the injury didn't require surgery. The 21-year-old's return to on-court work suggests that he could potentially come back this season, and he can be considered week-to-week until the club provides another update on his recovery.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Fractures hand, set to miss time
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Jovic has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a fractured right hand.
Jovic suffered the injury during the first half of Sunday's game, and X-rays revealed a fracture on the second metacarpal of his right hand. The Heat likely won't provide a clear timeline for Jovic's return until a determination is made on whether or not he needs surgery, but even if he avoids a procedure, the third-year forward will be headed for a multi-week absence. His absence could allow Kyle Anderson to take on an elevated role at power forward, and the Heat could also open up a spot in the rotation for one of Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Questionable with stomach illness
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Jovic is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors due to a stomach illness.
Jovic is a late addition to the injury report, which isn't a good sign. If he's unable to play, Jaime Jaquez, Duncan Robinson, Pelle Larsson and Kyle Anderson would be candidates for increased roles.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to play Thursday
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Jovic is listed as probable for Thursday's game versus the Mavericks due to a left knee contusion.
Jovic continues to deal with a left ankle issue but isn't expected to sit out Thursday. With Bam Adebayo (knee) questionable and Andrew Wiggins (illness) out, Jovic could receive an increased role in Miami's frontcourt against Dallas.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Monday
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Jovic (ankle) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Jovic was previously carrying a probable tag due to a mild ankle issue. The forward has emerged as a reliable fantasy contributor with averages of 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 30.3 minutes per game over his last 18 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Dealing with ankle sprain
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Jovic (ankle) is probable for Monday's game against the Celtics, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic was recently dealing with a calf injury but is now managing an ankle issue, neither of which is reportedly serious. Over his last 18 appearances, Jovic has averaged 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 30.3 minutes per game.
