Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Won't start versus Atlanta
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Jakucionis won't start in Sunday's game against Atlanta, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jakucionis got the start in Friday's 140-117 win over the Wizards. However, with Davion Mitchell (shoulder) returning from his one-game absence, Jakucionis will move back to a reserve role.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Takes advantage of spot start
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Jakucionis notched 16 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two steals across 31 minutes during Friday's 140-117 win over Washington.
The Heat rested several players Friday, meaning Jakucionis got another start in the backcourt. The rookie took full advantage of the opportunity -- he posted his best scoring mark since March 12, when he recorded 18 points in a start against the Bucks. The Heat have already locked up a Play-In Tournament berth, so it wouldn't be surprising if they rest their regulars Sunday against the Hawks, which could pave the way for Jakucionis to make another start in the final day of the regular season. Jakucionis has posted solid numbers when given the chance, as he's scored in double digits in five of his 12 starts as a rookie this season. While he's a work in progress, he's shown glimpses of his talent.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Starting Friday
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Jakucionis will start Friday's game against the Wizards, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
With Tyler Herro (foot), Norman Powell (groin), and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) all unavailable for Friday's contest, the rookie first-round pick will rejoin the starting five. Jakucionis had recently been squeezed out of Miami's streamlined rotation, but the severely depleted backcourt will force him back into a significant role. Jakucionis was highly productive the last time he drew a spot start with both Herro and Powell sidelined, logging 18 points, seven rebounds, and five three-pointers across 35 minutes March 12.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Plays well in loss
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Jakucionis had eight points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 22 minutes during Monday's 136-111 loss to San Antonio.
Jakucionis was a bright spot off the bench for Miami. He's trending up over his last seven games, posting averages of 6.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 21.5 minutes per contest during that span.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Starting Tuesday
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Jakucionis is in the Heat's starting lineup against the Wizards on Tuesday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jakucionis will make his 10th start of the season (and first since Feb. 21) due to the absences of Tyler Herro (quadriceps) and Norman Powell (groin). In his last start against the Grizzlies on Feb. 21, Jakucionis finished with 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and two three-pointers over 23 minutes.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Drills six treys off bench
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Jakucionis contributed 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 32 minutes during Monday's 115-111 loss to Utah.
Jakucionis caught fire from beyond the arc yet again after going 6-for-6 from downtown Sunday against the Wizards. He's been an unlikely contributor from deep after averaging 0.9 made threes per game over his previous 26 matchups heading into Sunday's clash, but the Heat will undoubtedly take his strong contributions off the bench while without the services of Tyler Herro (ribs), Norman Powell (back) and Pelle Larsson (elbow).
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Erupts off bench in win
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Jakucionis accumulated 22 points (8-10 FG, 6-6 3Pt), six assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block over 26 minutes during Sunday's 132-101 win over the Wizards.
Jakucionis delivered a breakout performance Sunday, tying Bam Adebayo for the game high with 22 points in a dominant Heat win. The rookie guard was perfect from beyond the arc while setting a new career high in scoring and adding three stocks. Jakucionis hasn't been a fixture in head coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation this season, but outings like this could open the door to more opportunities for the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Left out of rotation Friday
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Jakucionis (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Heat's 98-96 loss to the Celtics.
After playing in each of Miami's last 12 games while averaging 4.8 points, 3.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 19.3 minutes per contest, Jakucionis found himself outside of the rotation as the Heat welcomed Norman Powell (personal) and Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) back from three- and one-game absences, respectively. Though Jakucionis is a superior playmaker to Dru Smith, the Heat appear to place more value in what Smith brings to the table defensively as the backup point guard in the second unit. With Davion Mitchell back to full health and Tyler Herro (ribs) perhaps returning at some point later this month, Jakucionis may not have a path to regular playing time now that Miami is inching closer to full strength.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Won't start Sunday
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Jakucionis is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Bulls.
Jakucionis had started the Heat's previous six games but will slide back to the bench with Davion Mitchell (shoulder) returning to the lineup. The rookie has come off the bench in 16 of his 24 appearances this season, averaging 3.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 12.6 minutes per contest as a reserve.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Good to go Sunday
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Jakucionis (face) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Jakucionis will shake off his questionable tag due to a facial contusion and suit up in the second half of this back-to-back set. The rookie first-rounder has started each of his last two appearances and may remain in the starting five with Davion Mitchell (shoulder) set to miss a third straight game. Over his last five games (three starts), Jakucionis has averaged 4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 17.2 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Questionable to play Sunday
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Jakucionis is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns due to a facial contusion.
Jakucionis may have sustained the injury during Saturday's 147-116 win over the Jazz, when he logged 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist over 17 minutes. Davion Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game, and if he and Jakucionis were both to be sidelined, then Dru Smith would be in line to enter the Heat's starting lineup.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Starting Thursday
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Jakucionis will start Thursday versus the Trail Blazers, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
This will be the third start of the season for Jakucionis, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Bam Adebayo. As a starter this season, Jakucionis has averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 triples per contest.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Shifts to bench
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Jakucionis isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Warriors.
Jakucionis entered the starting lineup Saturday against Oklahoma City with Tyler Herro (rib) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) out of commission. However, Jakucionis will return to his usual bench role Monday after Davion Mitchell was cleared to play. Jakucionis is averaging 3.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his last seven games as a reserve.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Handles increased role off bench
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Jakucionis had 12 points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and eight assists across 27 minutes during Thursday's 119-114 loss to the Celtics.
With Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez (knee) sidelined, Jakucionis played his most minutes since Dec. 19 in Boston, when he notched 17 points (5-13 FG), six rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes during his first career NBA start. Jakucionis has played more than 20 minutes only four times this season, so this performance appears to be an outlier.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Probable for Monday
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Jakucionis is probable to play Monday versus the Raptors due to left ankle soreness.
Jakucionis should be available for Monday's game, but that doesn't mean he'll play. He's made only one brief appearance for the Heat this season, which lasted one minute, and he missed both of his shot attempts.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Returns to G League
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Jakucionis was returned to the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Tuesday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jakucionis was brought up to the NBA club for Monday's matchup with the Mavs, but he failed to see the court. He'll go back down to the G League to ensure he continues to get reps.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Back to NBA
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Jakucionis will be available Monday against the Mavericks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jakucionis was assigned to the G League on Monday morning, but he's since returned to the NBA club. The Heat are expected to be very thin against Dallas despite the expected return of Tyler Herro (foot), so Jakucionis has a chance to see his first minutes at the NBA level.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Heads to G League
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Miami assigned Jakucionis to the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Saturday.
The rookie first-round pick has yet to make an appearance at the NBA level and is comfortably behind Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith on the depth chart at point guard. Jakucionis will get the chance to see his first extended minutes of the season for Sioux Falls in Sunday's game against the Windy City Bulls.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Available, unlikely to see minutes
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Jakucionis (groin) is available for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jakucionis has been dealing with a right groin issue since the preseason, but for the first time this season, the rookie will be in uniform. However, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Erik Spoelstra said pregame that Jakucionis isn't expected to see the floor. Jakucionis is buried on the depth chart, with point guards like Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith ahead of him.
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Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Won't debut Tuesday
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Jakucionis (groin) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Hornets.
Jakucionis has yet to make his regular-season debut while dealing with a lingering groin injury. The Illinois rookie is projected to serve as a key reserve and the primary backup point guard to Davion Mitchell once healthy, but for now, Dru Smith will handle those duties. Jakucionis' next opportunity to take the court comes Thursday against the Spurs.
