Heat’s preseason game in Puerto Rico meaningful for one player. Also, five guards sidelined
As Miami Heat guard Ethan Thompson continues to pursue his NBA dream, he will realize another dream this weekend.
Thompson, who has Puerto Rican roots on his mother’s side of the family, will be part of an NBA game in Puerto Rico when the Heat begins its six-game preseason schedule on Saturday against the Orlando Magic at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBA TV).
“It was more than a dream come true, for sure,” Thompson said of finding out the Heat was playing a preseason game in Puerto Rico when he joined the team in August. “I dream about playing in the NBA and then having the ability to be part of a game that’s in Puerto Rico, an island that I love and has shown love to me. And growing up in the culture, being half Puerto Rican from my mom’s side, growing up with my grandparents, it’s a blessing for sure.”
Thompson is signed by the Heat to an Exhibit 10 contract, which essentially represents an invite to training camp and provides a financial incentive for that player to join the organization’s G League affiliate. He’s among the four players signed by the Heat to Exhibit 10 deals who are competing this preseason for the team’s open two-way contract slot, along with forward Dain Dainja, and guards Trevor Keels and Jahmir Young.
Thompson, 26, went undrafted in 2021 out of Oregon State and has yet to play in an NBA game despite spending part of last season on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic. But he has appeared in 128 career regular-season G League games (118 starts) over four seasons with the Osceola Magic, Mexico City Capitanes and Windy City Bulls, averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game while shooting 41.7% from the field, 35% from three-point range and 82.8% from the foul line.
Thompson, who was born and raised in California, also has some experience playing in Puerto Rico. He has spent time with the Puerto Rican national team and was selected by the Osos de Manati with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 Baloncesto Superior Nacional draft (Puerto Rican basketball league).
“I’ve been there countless times,” Thompson said when asked how often he finds himself in Puerto Rico. “I go pretty often, represent the national team. And then I played in the BSN as well one summer. My brother is out there often, too. We spend a lot of time in PR, for sure.”
Thompson, who joked that he understands more Spanish “than I’m willing to speak,” said he already told his Heat teammates “if they have any questions around the island, let me know.”
The Heat traveled to Puerto Rico after closing training camp on Friday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Saturday will mark the Heat’s seventh exhibition game in Puerto Rico in franchise history. The Heat previously played exhibitions in Puerto Rico in 1993 (a win against the Denver Nuggets), two in 1994 (splitting a pair of matchups with the Atlanta Hawks), 2003 (a win against the Philadelphia 76ers), 2005 (a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies) and 2006 (a loss to the Detroit Pistons).
The Heat’s schedule of six exhibitions is the NBA maximum, with Saturday’s preseason opener marking the fifth straight work day for the Heat after holding training camp at FAU from Tuesday through Friday. Following Saturday’s preseason opener in Puerto Rico, the Heat returns home to continue the preseason on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks at Kaseya Center.
“We’ll be able to manage that,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of the team’s busy preseason schedule. “We’ll prioritize the shootarounds early on. I don’t think you’ll see guys playing 42 minutes.”
As for Thompson, he expects a lot of support in San Juan.
“I got a lot of tias (aunts) on the island, and my mom and my brother are flying in as well,” he said. “So they’re going to be able to support.”
But Thompson also understands the importance of Saturday’s opportunity, as he works to prove he deserves a spot in the NBA.
“Definitely once we step between the lines, it’s no different from any other game,” Thompson said. “I feel like I try to represent Puerto Rico to the best of my abilities everywhere. And this game happens to be on the island, so definitely a blessing.”
HEAT SHORT-HANDED
The Heat will be without five guards for its preseason opener, as Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), Kasparas Jakucionis (sprained left wrist), Pelle Larsson (left quad contusion), Davion Mitchell (calf soreness) and Terry Rozier (strained left hamstring) will not travel to Puerto Rico for Saturday’s game.
The other 16 players on the Heat’s 21-man preseason roster are expected to travel to Puerto Rico.
“We’ll just see who’s available tomorrow and we’ll keep moving forward,” Spoelstra said when asked about the Heat’s plan for Saturday’s preseason opener. “We’ve had a very good week. It’ll be nice to play a game. I didn’t have any intentions of playing guys huge minutes regardless, so it’ll be a good opportunity for all the guys.”
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
