Yurtseven updates status. And Heat personnel notes from Western swing
A six-pack of Heat notes after the team’s Wednesday morning shootaround at the Moda Center, in advance of the game against the Trail Blazers (10 p.m., Bally Sports Sun):
▪ Center Omer Yurtseven, who hasn’t played since the preseason opener because of an ankle injury, said he hopes to return within a week but it still dealing with the effects of the injury.
“I think I’m going to be back in less than a week, hopefully, but I’ve got to sacrifice and I’ve just got to take the pain that comes with it, and that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “But hopefully sooner rather than later. But less than a week is my hope.”
Although he accompanied the team to the West Coast, he doesn’t appear likely to play on this trip against Portland on Wednesday, Golden State on Thursday or Sacramento on Saturday.
He said he’s still feeling discomfort in the ankle, and his movement is limited. So a return next week isn’t certain.
“I need me out there more than anybody, anything,” he said. “I know [teammates] would rather see me playing rather than sitting on the bench. I miss being out there. Yeah, it’s just been frustrating to see guys battle so hard and knowing I can help them.”
Coach Erik Spoelstra said Yurtseven accompanied the team on the trip “to have him around here and continue his work. He’s making progress. Not quite ready to get out here in live action but we want him to continue his work.”
When Yurtseven returns, Spoelstra will have a decision about whether to use Dwayne Dedmon or Yurtseven as his primary backup center.
The Heat has been outscored by 28 points in Dedmon’s 45 minutes.
Miami entered Wednesday ranked 23rd in percent of available rebounds corralled, at 48.7 percent.
▪ Caleb Martin, suspended for Monday’s game against Toronto after an altercation with the Raptors’ Christian Koloko during Saturday’s game, said he watched Monday’s loss from home in Miami.
“It’s tough watching knowing you can contribute to a win,” he said. “Overall I’m feeling like I definitely could have contributed for sure. Especially when you lose, you are going to think that loss is on you. That’s how you learn. I learned from that, make sure I don’t do it again.”
Does he plan to appeal the suspension, which will cost him about $45,000? “I’ll talk it over with my people. Maybe they look at some things that were missed leading up to it, but at the end of the day, I plan on just moving forward.”
▪ Heat rookie Nikola Jovic, who was suspended for Monday’s game because he left the bench area during the Martin-Koloko altercation, said not being at the arena was “a little weird, because also I’m living right across the arena. I can see from my windows and balcony. So I’m like right there, but not in there.
“It was tough because we lost. I’m not playing right now. But still, I love to be there with those guys.”
Jovic hasn’t played in a regular-season game yet. Is it hard to sit and watch?
“Of course, you’d love to be out there, but it’s a coach’s decision,” he said. “He’s doing what he thinks is the best for the team. You just need to appreciate that. I’m really happy with those guys, that I’m able to be around them.”
▪ There’s no known timetable on Victor Oladipo’s return from left knee tendinosis, but there is an expectation that he will play this season and surgery hasn’t been a consideration. He has been working out and shooting. The unknown is when Oladipo will feel healthy enough to play and when the Heat medical staff will give him the go-ahead.
The injury is to the knee that hasn’t been surgically repaired.
▪ Gabe Vincent, who has Spoelstra’s trust, has played the second-most fourth-quarter minutes (39), behind only Bam Adebayo’s 44.
He’s 6-for-11 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Vincent said “I take a lot of pride” in playing in the fourth. “Every player is competitive. You want to finish games. Not happy about your record, but happy I’m able to finish most of these games.”
▪ The Heat, which is just below the luxury tax threshold, could add a 15th player and remain under the luxury tax if it signs a player no earlier than late March, with about 12 days remaining in the season. The Heat’s regular season finale is April 9.
But the math on that obviously changes if the Heat makes a trade before the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline.
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 3:01 PM.
