The Miami Heat could have its full preferred starting lineup intact on Saturday for the first time in almost two weeks.
That’s because there’s a chance the Heat could get starters Kel’el Ware and Andrew Wiggins back from injury for Saturday night’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls at Kaseya Center.
Ware has been upgraded to probable after missing the last three games because of a left knee sprain and Wiggins is listed as questionable after sitting out the last five games because of a right ankle sprain.
If Ware and Wiggins are able to return Saturday, the Heat is expected to turn back to its preferred starting lineup of Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Wiggins, Bam Adebayo and Ware against the Bulls for the first time since using this group to begin its Feb. 26 home win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat has used this starting lineup five times so far this season, going 2-3 in those games.
The Heat also listed guard Alec Burks (lower back pain) as questionable for Saturday’s contest after he missed his first game of the season due to injury in Friday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In addition, Herro (head cold) is listed as probable to play on Saturday against the Bulls. Herro played through his illness on Friday, finishing the Heat’s loss to the Timberwolves with 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in 39 minutes.
But the Heat remains without Josh Christopher (G League), Nikola Jovic (broken right hand) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) against the Bulls.
The Bulls are dealing with their own injury issues ahead of Saturday’s game in Miami, ruling out Ayo Dosunmu (left shoulder surgery).
In addition, the Bulls listed Lonzo Ball (right wrist sprain), Nikola Vucevic (right calf strain) and Patrick Williams (right quadricep tendon tendinosis) as doubtful. Talen Horton-Tucker (right ankle sprain) and Coby White (right toe sesamoiditis) are probable to play.