Highsmith gives Heat big boost, then opens up on emotions of past week after car accident
For a minute - 36 in fact - Haywood Highsmith on Wednesday night could focus entirely on what gives him joy:
Defending maniacally. Shooting corner threes and watching them trickle through the net. Playing basketball with a very high motor.
Highsmith’s work in Wednesday’s 109-104 win at the Philadelphia 76ers was his most extensive and productive since he was involved in a serious car accident that left another man seriously injured.
He scored 16 points, hit 4 of 10 three-pointers, hit a three-pointer that put the Heat ahead for good with just over seven minutes left, nailed two key free throws during crunch time, had two steals, a rebound and an assist and played stout defense while logging the third most minutes of anyone on the team.
Highsmith hasn’t commented on the incident beyond a statement, but he shared some insight on his emotions during a conversation in the visitor’s locker room of the Wells Fargo Center locker-room late Wednesday night.
Asked if it was soothing to get back to playing a lot in a game after the stressful past week, he said: “For sure. Basketball is my peace. I wanted to get back with my teammates and coaches so they can get my energy up. Obviously it hasn’t been the easiest week or so for me, but I’m just taking it day by day.
“Being around my team has been very helpful, being around my family, the coaching staff, everybody has been very helpful. The Heat family has my back and I appreciate that.”
Asked if his emotional state during the past week, he said: “Taking it day by day. It’s not going to be easy obviously, but just take it day by day.”
Hours after being removed from the starting lineup in favor of Caleb Martin, Highsmith was driving home on the night of Feb. 6 after playing the Orlando Magic when he hit a pedestrian — partially severing his leg — who was aiding another motorist on the road in West Kendall, officials said.
Highsmith, 27, was given a traffic ticket for careless driving, a crash report read. But no charges were filed and none are expected to be filed. No alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.
Around 11:20 p.m., Nicodemus Jean Baptiste Cantave’s Toyota Forerunner was “disabled” and stopped on Southwest 136th Street near Southwest 138th Avenue, the report read.
Unable to move it, Alekxei Pino walked over to help Cantave. The report reveals that Highsmith, too, was approaching the disabled car on Southwest 136th Street. He was traveling home from the Kaseya Center, his agent Jerry Dianis said.
Dianis added the Toyota did not have its lights on the road, echoing the same statement Highsmith gave officers. As Pino was behind the stopped car, that’s when Highsmith collided with him and the Toyota, the report read.
At the moment of the collision, according to Dianis, Pino was pushing the Toyota. He also contended Highsmith was not speeding. However, the report lists Highsmith’s estimated speed at 45 mph while the speed limit was 40 mph. The collision pushed the Toyota 50 to 60 yards forward, the report read.
Pino was seriously hurt in the crash. Dianis said Highsmith “immediately rushed to help the person pushing the car who had been injured.” “Haywood stayed on the scene continuously talking to the injured man, offering words of comfort until an ambulance took him to the hospital,” Dianis said.
A responding Miami-Dade police officer said Pino was suffering from a partial amputation to his right leg, a compound fracture to his left leg and a possible broken left arm.
Pino was taken to Jackson South Medical Center in critical condition by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the report read. Highsmith was not under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the report read, nor did he sustain injuries.
“This was an unfortunate accident,” Dianis said. “Haywood and his family are praying for him. Haywood is, of course, shaken by this and appreciates the support and prayers he has received from the Miami Heat and fans.”
As for his on-court work Wednesday, Highsmith was a key part of a Heat defense that limited Philadelphia to 42 points and 2 for 14 three-point shooting in the second half.
“Highsmith was really good defensively,” Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s put together there straight games defensively where he’s had a massive impact, whether man or zone, his wingspan, ability to move his feet, was allowing us to corral the ball a little easier.
“There weren’t necessarily the straight line drives. I love the fact he stayed with it. He missed some open ones, didn’t get discouraged. and he hit a big one and two free throws as well to create a little bit of separation.”
Highsmith often was left open by 76ers defenders and closed 5 of 13 from the field.
“If people want to leave me open, I’m going to keep shooting,” he said. “Leave me open, I’m going to keep shooting, whether I’m making them or missing them.”
This story was originally published February 15, 2024 at 10:08 AM.
