Heat’s Tyler Herro shares positive news on injury. The latest timeline for recovery
An injury held Heat rookie Tyler Herro out of Friday night’s Rising Stars game to kick off NBA All-Star Weekend, but he was all smiles when speaking to the media Friday morning.
There are a few reasons for that.
One, Herro is in Chicago to enjoy the festivities surrounding All-Star Weekend and support his five Heat teammates who are participating in events. That includes rookie guard Kendrick Nunn, who was also voted into the Rising Stars game that includes first- and second-year players.
Second, Herro received positive news this week regarding the right foot injury that forced him to miss the final five games before the break. A visit to the doctor earlier this week ruled out a significant injury, which was a relief to Herro and the Heat because some believed it would take him months to return to the court.
“At first, they said it was going to be worse,” Herro said while sitting at a podium during Rising Stars media availability at Wintrust Arena. “They thought I was going to be out for almost until the playoffs. So, it was good to hear that I can get my boot off this upcoming week and just take it day by day and see how I feel once I get out of it. I’m trying to do my best to get out there as fast as possible.”
The Heat has listed Herro’s injury as right ankle soreness, but Herro said it’s the right foot that is injured.
Herro’s hope is the walking boot he currently is in will come off on Wednesday and he’ll be able to return to game action soon after. The Heat’s first game after the break is Thursday against the Hawks in Atlanta.
“There’s no more pain at this point,” Herro said of his foot. “It’s just being able to rest it and making sure the problem doesn’t come back up.
“I‘m hoping I can get back as soon as possible. I think I get my boot off next week, hopefully on Wednesday, and then go from there. Then whenever I’m feeling right, I’ll be able to get out there. I’m trying to get out and play as soon as possible.”
Herro said he played on the injury for almost two weeks before the pain in his foot worsened in the Heat’s Feb. 1 win over the Magic. It got even worse when he tried to play through the pain in the Heat’s Feb. 3 win over the 76ers, and he exited the game early and has been out ever since.
“Obviously, I wish I could have played on the five-game road trip,” said Herro, who plans to make the 90-minute drive from Chicago to his hometown of Milwaukee on Saturday to visit family. “Obviously, I wish I could have played [in the Rising Stars game]. But it’s all part of the process. There are ups and downs with it.”
HOMETOWN KID
With Nunn playing in the Rising Stars Game on Friday in his hometown of Chicago, he expects a lot of family and friends to attend the event at the United Center. Returning home also gave Nunn an opportunity to visit Simeon Academy High on Thursday, where he played high school basketball.
“It means a lot,” Nunn said of participating in All-Star Weekend in Chicago. “It’s a dream come true. It’s an honor to be here and I’m looking to have a lot of fun.
“Chicago basketball means a lot. A lot of great guys come from Chicago. It’s a legacy we like carrying on — there’s a lot of legacy and tradition here and I like carrying it.”
Nunn, 24, entered the All-Star break averaging 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his rookie season. He has started in each of the 51 games he has played in and has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month each of the three times it has been awarded this season.
“I’ve proven a lot, just showing my talents and showing what I can do on the basketball floor,” Nunn said. “I’ve been given an opportunity and I’m taking full advantage of it.”
BUSY SATURDAY NIGHT
All-Star Saturday night is going to be full of Heat players.
The Heat has a participant in every event Saturday, with Bam Adebayo taking part in the Skills Challenge, Duncan Robinson competing in the Three-Point Contest and Derrick Jones Jr. in the Slam Dunk Contest.
Adebayo and Jimmy Butler will then play in Sunday’s All-Star Game as reserves on Team Giannis.
This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 12:56 PM.
