The Miami Heat offered updates on several players that are dealing with injuries ahead of the team’s season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Guard Josh Richardson, who signed with the team in free agency this offseason, said he is uncertain of his availability on Wednesday because of a foot injury. He has not practiced since suffering the injury.
Richardson is a player that could help replace Gabe Vincent (who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason) in the Heat rotation. If he can’t go, Miami will have to look elsewhere for guard help behind veteran Kyle Lowry.
Forward Haywood Highsmith, who is set to be re-evaluated in early November, spoke about his own injury.
A strong defender, Highsmith appeared in 54 games for the Heat last season and made 11 starts. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game.
Both he and Richardson did not practice on Monday.
The Heat also could be down guard R.J. Hampton, who is away from the team with an illness.
Hampton – a former first-round pick – signed with Miami this offseason. He spent the 2022-23 season with the Pistons (Miami’s opponent on Wednesday) and Orlando Magic.
On a positive note for Miami, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. went through contact work on Monday. The rookie forward is coming off an injury, but it appears he’s at least trending in a positive direction.
He and Caleb Martin are both being closely monitored by Miami after sustaining injuries.
The Heat are hoping to get a few of these players in the lineup for the season opener. The Pistons are set to be without two veterans in Bojan Bogdanovic and Monte Morris for Wednesday’s contest.
The Pistons will need to replace Bogdanovic’s offense, as he averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in the 2022-23 campaign. It’s possible rookie Ausar Thompson could have a bigger role for Detroit in his absence.
The Heat and Pistons are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 25 in Miami.