Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
On the road for a Saturday, March 21, matchup, the Miami Heat are set to take on the Houston Rockets in Texas.
Going into the game, the Heat announced they have downgraded their All-Star sharpshooter, Norm Powell.
In Powell’s latest outing, the veteran checked in for 32 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. He shot 7-13 from the field, making just one out of five threes. Powell accounted for 20 points while collecting two rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
The Heat lost to the Lakers with a 134-126 defeat. They will look to bounce back against the Rockets on Saturday night.
Miami Heat Make Norman Powell Announcement
Norman Powell
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 06: Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat reacts during the first quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Kaseya Center on December 06, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Listed as questionable on the injury report, the Heat are monitoring calf tightness from Powell. Lately, the veteran guard has been dealing with a setback, which has kept him off the court for a stretch of games.
His first absence in four games occurred on February 28, when the Heat faced the Houston Rockets.
The Heat were forced to hold Powell out for the next seven games. Over that stretch, Miami fared extremely well. They went undefeated with wins over the Rockets, Nets (twice), Hornets, Pistons, Wizards, and the Bucks.
Powell Is Taking On A Revised Role
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 22: Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Anthony Black #0 of the Orlando Magic in the first half of a game at Kia Center on October 22, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
When Powell returned to the court for the March 14 game against the Orlando Magic, he came off the bench for 31 minutes. The winning streak was snapped.
In the following two games, Powell started just once. He was on the court for 30 minutes in the 136-106 blowout loss to the Hornets.
Recently, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra explained Powell’s switch to a bench role:
“[We’re trying to] manage it,” Spoelstra said, pertaining to Powell’s recent groin injury.
“He’ll be fine as long as we’re responsible about it. Look, these are not easy decisions right now. He’s going to play a lot of minutes … Right now, we just need to focus on winning games, and pouring into the team right now. We want to be healthy. We want our guys out there. We want our firepower. We want our options. With that comes some level of sacrifice. What we’ll do each game, I don’t know. We’re doing whatever we feel is necessary to put ourselves in a position to win.”
The Heat are 27-25 in games that Powell plays this season. He started in 50 of 52 games. Seeing the court for an average of 30 minutes this year, Powell has posted averages of 22.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and knocking down 38.4% of his threes.
The Heat and the Rockets are set for an 8 PM ET tip on Saturday. Powell’s status is up in the air as of Saturday afternoon.