Jaime Jaquez Jr.
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The Miami Heat won't have Jaime Jaquez Jr. against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Miami Heat have given a new injury designation to forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Jaquez, who missed the team’s last game against the Boston Celtics on Thursday, January 15, has been ruled out again against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The team originally announced he was battling left knee soreness before listing him as out with a left knee sprain.
He’s been one of the bright spots for a Heat team that has struggled with inconsistency throughout the season.
Jaquez has been one of the best sixth men in the NBA, averaging 15.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He has the third-best odds to win the Sixth Man of the Year award at +800.
He injured his knee against the Phoenix Suns on January 13, Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed after the team’s loss to the Celtics.
“Yeah, it happened last game, but he’s already starting to feel a little bit better,” Spoelstra said. “Not good enough to play tonight, we’ll continue to treat him. We’re all pretty encouraged by how he responded today.”
The Heat are 1-3 this season in games without Jaquez. His return is important to act as a spark off the bench.
In addition to Jaquez’s injury update, Heat guard Davion Mitchell remains out against the Thunder. He’s battling a shoulder contusion he sustained against the Suns after running into a Mark Williams screen.
Miami Heat See a New Addition to the Injury Report
Nikola Jovic
GettyThe Miami Heat have added Nikola Jovic to the injury report with an illness. He’s listed as questionable.
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic has been added to the injury report because of an illness. He is listed as questionable to play.
Jovic struggled against the Boston Celtics, finishing with 3 points in 15 minutes and a team-low plus/minus of -19.
He’s struggled with inconsistent play throughout the season. Erik Spoelstra has gone stretches without playing Jovic throughout the season.
Heat guard Tyler Herro is also on the injury report. He’s listed as questionable with a toe and rib injury.
Herro has returned to form after a toe injury that sidelined him for nearly a month. Over his last five games, he’s scored over 20 points three times.
He’s averaging 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season.
Miami Heat Rookie is Likely to See an Increase in Minutes
Kasparas Jakucionis
GettyMiami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis is likely to see an increase in minutes with multiple key players on the injury report.
With Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Davion Mitchell missing the game against the Boston Celtics, Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis picked up their missing minutes.
Jakucionis played 27 minutes against the Celtics, including being a part of the closing lineup in the game.
He finished with 12 points and 8 assists, while shooting 3-4 from three. With Jakucionis taking Mitchell’s missing minutes, he talked after the game about how he’s learned from him.
“I’m definitely watching him a lot in practices and how he approaches the defensive end, how aggressive he is, how he’s making plays for others,” Jakucionis said. “I’m just trying to learn from him, for sure.”
The rookie from Illinois has only played in 15 Heat games this season, but if he consistently makes a positive impact, his playing time will increase in the second half of the season.