Miami Heat Star Tyler Herro Could Return Friday Against Atlanta Hawks

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro may return to action Friday against the Atlanta Hawks after missing 45 games due to multiple injuries this season. The Heat are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference and hoping Herro's return can boost their playoff chances.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro could make his long-awaited return to the court as early as Friday night when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks in their first contest following the All-Star break.

The talented scorer has been sidelined for 45 games this season due to a series of different injuries — starting with 17 games from an ankle problem sustained during the offseason, followed by 13 additional games from a toe injury, and most recently 15 games from a rib ailment. Following Thursday’s practice session, Herro declared himself ready to play and is currently listed with a probable status.

“I feel just as good as last year, actually,” Herro stated. “It’s been real, real frustrating. As a competitor, somebody who loves playing the game more than anything, that’s what I do. I love to the game of basketball, and it’s hard for me to just sit out and not be able to play.”

Despite appearing in just 11 contests this season, Herro has maintained impressive numbers with 21.9 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Against Atlanta specifically, he holds career averages of 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 20 matchups.

Miami enters the matchup with a 5-5 record over their last 10 outings and sits in the eighth position in the Eastern Conference standings, just 1.5 games away from securing a spot that would bypass the play-in tournament.

Meanwhile, Atlanta returned to competition Thursday evening with a convincing 117-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, snapping a three-game skid. The Hawks currently occupy ninth place in the East, sitting 2.5 games behind Miami in the standings.

Jalen Johnson led Atlanta’s offensive charge with an impressive 32-point, 10-rebound performance, while CJ McCollum contributed 23 points coming off the bench.

“Wins don’t come easy,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder commented. “I think the way that we played, we put in some time, and I thought our guys were focused. Maybe most important, when we got a little bit of a lead, we didn’t give it back. I thought we stayed connected. We didn’t do everything right, but we made plays.”

During the All-Star break, Miami made a significant roster adjustment by promoting undrafted rookie Myron Gardner from a two-way deal to a three-year standard contract. Gardner has appeared in 26 games for the Heat, posting averages of 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds while recording a career-best 14 points and six rebounds in the teams’ most recent encounter with Atlanta.

“He’s providing value right now,” Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra explained. “He was given some opportunities because of injuries. Now he makes you raise your eyebrows and watch the film a little more closely, and that’s what you want … make me watch and make me play you and you do it with your actions. I like what he’s done. His energy is contagious. The guys like playing with him.”

The Heat organization has established a strong track record of developing undrafted players into valuable contributors, with notable examples including Udonis Haslem, Duncan Robinson, and Max Strus.

Atlanta also made a roster move Thursday, upgrading Caleb Houstan from a two-day contract to a standard deal. Houstan has logged minutes in 10 games this season, averaging 2.3 points per contest.

Friday’s game represents the third of four scheduled meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals. Miami claimed a 126-111 victory in Atlanta on December 26, while the Hawks responded with a 127-115 win in Miami on February 3. The season series will conclude with an April 12 matchup in Miami.