The Miami Heat are on track to post their best winning percentage in a season since the 2013-14 campaign. The steady play of Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry and the emergence of Tyler Herro are the key causes of the team's resurgence. Unfortunately, the injury bug has now bitten another one of the team's key players.
Miami announced that Herro has entered health and safety protocols, ruling him out for their Wednesday game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The team also announced that Lowry will be out due to personal reasons.
Herro's absence nearly coincides with Bam Adebayo returning after a 22-game absence due to a thumb injury. Getting the All-Star and defensive anchor back is extremely helpful but being without one of the Heat's best shooters takes away a much-needed element on offense. Herro is averaging 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists while making 2.6 3-pointers per game. He has been so good this season that head coach Erik Spoelstra will go extra lengths to get him the ball.
Herro's career has been a rollercoaster to this point. He had a better-than-expected rookie campaign followed up by a mediocre second season. Now, his stock is soaring as he has re-emerged as one of Miami's key players.
The Heat and Herro will have to work out a contract this offseason to determine his future with the team. His play on the court screams that he should be a part of the team's future.