Heat could get Nikola Jovic back for Friday’s game vs. Thunder: ‘I’m almost 100 percent’
Unfortunately for Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic, he sprained his ankle during practice last week just days after turning in one of his best performances of the season. But fortunately for Jovic, it appears that he will make his return soon.
After missing Monday’s road loss to the Detroit Pistons with a sprained left ankle, Jovic is listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Kaseya Center (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Sun). Jovic felt good enough to be a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
“I feel pretty good,” Jovic said following Thursday’s practice. “But we’ll see what the training staff and everybody has to say about how smart it is to play [Friday]. But I would love to play and we’ll see.”
One factor that could play a role in that decision is the fact that Friday marks the start of a back-to-back set for the Heat. Following Friday’s game, the Heat will travel to Orlando for Saturday’s matchup against the Magic.
Whether Jovic plays Friday, he admitted it was not easy to have a setback immediately after totaling 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 24 minutes off the bench in the Heat’s Dec. 12 home win over the Toronto Raptors. It marked Jovic’s first game appearance since Nov. 24 after falling out of the Heat’s rotation.
“It was not easy,” Jovic said Thursday of turning his ankle two days after producing that stat line last week. “But it’s something I couldn’t avoid. I jumped and landed on somebody’s foot. It’s nothing new. Unfortunately, it’s the same ankle [I hurt earlier this month] so it hurt a lot more. But I’m just trying to get back as quickly as I can. I feel like I’m almost 100 percent.”
In addition to Jovic’s questionable status, the Heat also listed Keshad Johnson (G League) and Pelle Larsson (sprained right ankle) as questionable for Friday’s game against the Thunder. Johnson is expected to rejoin the Heat for Friday’s contest after spending time in the G League.
The Heat also listed Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation) as doubtful and ruled out Josh Christopher (G League) for Friday’s game.
Meanwhile, the Thunder won’t issue an injury report for its game in Miami until Friday afternoon. That’s because the Thunder begins a back-to-back set Thursday against the Magic in Orlando before facing the Heat on Friday.
