By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Upon further medical evaluation, the Miami Heat updated the status of Serbian rookie Nikola Jovic.
Jovic, 19, was diagnosed with a lower back stress reaction, the team announced Tuesday. He will miss at least four weeks and then be re-evaluated.
Entering the NBA as the 27th pick of the 2022 draft, he started his rookie campaign logging 15 appearances, including eight starts under head coach Erik Spoelstra. With multiple teammates recovering from previous injuries and becoming available, he also appeared in one G League game with affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The Leicester-born forward spent the two previous years at Mega Soccerbet, recording 29 games played in the AdmiralBet ABA League. More youth experience was gained through participation in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 of Euroleague Basketball’s Adidas Next Generation Tournament, culminating in the MVP award in the qualifying tournament held in Belgrade.
Prior to the setback damaging the promising start in the NBA, he tallied 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks per NBA game. Moving to the injury list, Jovic joined 24-year-old Turkish center Omer Yurtseven (left ankle surgery).
Furthermore, Dewayne Dedmon dealing with plantar fasciitis on his left foot was listed as questionable to play in the penultimate stop of a five-game road trip opposite the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday. Also questionable are Udonis Haslem (right Achilles tendinosis), Caleb Martin (left quadriceps strain), and Duncan Robinson (left hamstring strain). Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) is listed as probable.
At 20-18, the Heat are currently tied for seventh in the standings of the Eastern Conference.
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