Kasparas Jakucionis (25) sits in an interview during the Miami Heat Media Day on Sept. 29, 2025, at Kaseya Center in Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
There haven’t been many wins for the Miami Heat lately. After all, the Heat entered Sunday night’s matchup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with losses in six of its last seven games following a 14-7 start to the season.
But in the middle of the Heat’s rough stretch, a bright spot has emerged.
After spending the first part of his rookie season in the G League, the Heat’s injury issues have led to playing time for 19-year-old rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis. He played his first meaningful NBA minutes in Thursday’s win over the Nets in Brooklyn and then made his first NBA start in Friday’s loss to the Celtics in Boston.
Jakucionis has taken advantage of the opportunity, impressing his coaches and teammates with his energy, play-making ability and improved three-point shooting.
“I really like what he’s done in the last two games,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Jakucionis prior to Sunday’s matchup against the Knicks. “And what he did in the eight games in the G League. He gives us the energy, the pace. He’s fearless in terms of his playmaking, aggressiveness, getting into the paint. He has really improved his three-point shooting. So that was definitely a bright spot. With Davion [Mitchell] being out, Kas got an opportunity and he really played well.”
Jakucionis showed off his intriguing skill set in his first NBA start, totaling 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range, six rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Celtics. He also posted a plus/minus of plus 3 in the 13-point defeat.
Prior to playing eight minutes for his first meaningful NBA playing time in Thursday’s win over the Nets and then logging extended minutes in his first NBA start on Friday in Boston, he had played only 53.7 seconds in the NBA through the Heat’s first 26 games of the season.
“It happened fast,” said Jakucionis, who was selected by the Heat with the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft. “You never know when the chance is coming, when D-Mitch was out. I just have to be ready every time they need me, and I’m trying to stay ready every time they need me.”
Heat captain and three-time NBA All-Star center Bam Adebayo likes what he has seen from Jakucionis early in his NBA career.
“He’s a fighter. He’s a competitor. You can see it,” Adebayo said. “He wants to win. He wants to compete. He wants to get involved. We love when young fellas are like that, when they have that type of mentality, where they want to get in the fight. They want to be a part of it and do what it takes to win.”
Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket as Simone Fontecchio #0 and Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat defend during the first half at Barclays Center on December 18, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier Getty Images
Before this latest NBA opportunity, Jakucionis dealt with injury issues early in his rookie season before spending time in the G League. He missed part of training camp and a chunk of the preseason because of a sprained left wrist prior to playing in one full exhibition and then being sidelined for the first seven regular-season games with a strained right groin.
When Jakucionis was finally cleared to return, he was sent to the G League. Before rejoining the Heat on Dec. 7, Jakucionis averaged 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range in eight G League appearances for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
“I was extremely pleased with his eight games in Sioux Falls,” Spoelstra said. “Every game, he got in better game condition. He’s in superior shape, but also more confident. He did things that contributed to winning.”
What has impressed Spoelstra most about Jakucionis’ development at this early stage of his NBA career?
“He makes things happen,” Spoelstra said. “You feel his presence right away. I’m really encouraged about him as a competitor. He does things to make you notice. He’s trying to impact the game in whatever minutes he has. Great toughness and energy about him. He really competes defensively. And offensively, he just makes things happen. I like the progress he’s made. He’s significantly improved from where he was in the summer.”
When the Heat gets healthy, Jakucionis may again fall out of the Heat’s rotation. Whatever happens, Jakucionis is happy he got this opportunity early in his career to showcase his growth and development at the NBA level.
“It’s like a dream to compete against the best of the best,” Jakucionis said. “Since I was little, I used to watch all the guys competing here. So I wanted to be a part of it. And when I go out there, I’m just trying to give 100 percent every time.”
INJURY REPORT
The Heat remains without Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Nikola Jovic (right elbow contusion/laceration), Pelle Larsson (left ankle sprain), Terry Rozier (not with team) and Jahmir Young (G League) against the Knicks.
The Heat also listed Mitchell (left ankle sprain) and Andrew Wiggins (lower back pain) as questionable for Sunday’s game.
The Knicks ruled out Miles McBride (left ankle sprain) and Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain) against the Heat. The rest of New York’s roster is expected to be available.