Rookie Nikola Jovic out at least four weeks with back injury. And rest of Heat injury report
.JPG "Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) in action during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Washington.")
Miami Heat rookie forward Nikola Jovic has been diagnosed with a lower back stress reaction and will be sidelined for the next four weeks before being re-evaluated, the team announced Tuesday.
Jovic, 19, had been dealing with ongoing lower back spasms for the last few weeks. After traveling with the Heat for the start of its West Coast trip, he returned to Miami on Monday to meet with a doctor who delivered the diagnosis.
The four-week timetable will keep him out at least through January.
Jovic has been out of the Heat’s rotation, with most of his playing time this season coming when the team has been depleted by injuries. He has averaged 5.5 points while shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 22.9 percent from three-point range, 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game in 15 appearances (eight starts) in his first NBA season.
Jovic has also spent time in the G League with the Heat’s developmental affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season. He was drafted by the Heat with the 27th overall pick in this past summer’s draft.
Jovic and Omer Yurtseven (left ankle surgery) are the only two Heat players who have been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Dewayne Dedmon (left foot plantar fasciitis), Udonis Haslem (right Achilles tendinosis) and Duncan Robinson (left hamstring strain) are listed as questionable. Dedmon was recently cleared from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.
Caleb Martin (left quadriceps strain) and Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) are probable to play.
The Lakers are listing LeBron James (left ankle soreness) and Lonnie Walker IV (left knee soreness) as questionable. Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) is probable.
But the Lakers will remain without star Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) against the Heat.
