Jaime Jaquez Jr.
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The Miami Heat could have to wait for the return of Jaime Jaquez Jr. after he was ruled as questionable with an illness.
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was set to return from a two-game hiatus against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, January 10.
However, a new update on the injury report has Jaquez’s game status in question. After being listed as available to play in the Heat’s postponed game against the Chicago Bulls, Jaquez has been downgraded to questionable with an illness, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The Heat have Jaquez listed as a game-time decision.
Jaquez originally injured his ankle during a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 3. Timberwolves forward Julius Randle stepped on his foot, leading to his exit from the game.
He was originally listed as questionable to return in the Heat’s next game against the New Orleans Pelicans, before being downgraded to out.
Jaquez’s impact for the Heat this season has been massive. He leads the team in plus/minus at +137.
He’s currently second in Sixth Man of the Year award odds at +400, just behind Timberwolves’ forward Naz Reid.
The Miami Heat are Looking to Rebound From a Blowout Loss
Bam Adebayo
GettyThe Miami Heat suffered their worst loss of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 6.
The Miami Heat suffered their largest loss of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing by 28 points.
Jaquez did not play against the Timberwolves, and the Heat will possibly have to suit up without him again.
The Indiana Pacers have been struggling throughout the season. They are in last place in the Eastern Conference at 7-31.
Additionally, they’ve lost nine out of their last 10 games. The Heat enters the road matchup as a 6.5-point favorite.
Miami is coming off a four-day break due to a bizarre incident at the United Center, where their game against the Chicago Bulls was postponed due to condensation on the court.
Additional Notes for the Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers Game
In addition to missing Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin, the Indiana Pacers ruled out Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson for the game. Andrew Nembhard is listed as questionable.
If Jaime Jaquez can play through his illness, it will only be the third game of the season where the Miami Heat have an entirely healthy lineup.
Tyler Herro will make his return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 6.