Nikola Jovic’s narrative that Erik Spoelstra doesn’t ‘buy into’

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat boast a lot of depth this seasonleading to early successful results, one player who stuck out like a sore thumb with his frustrating play was Nikola Jovic. Doc Jovic is going through an uneven start for the Heat this season, head coach Erik Spoelstra he talks about the narrative surrounding a young player he doesn’t buy.

Returning from a four-game absence with a hip sprain, Jovic would have been on the “available” list against the Milwaukee Bucks last Wednesday, but didn’t see a single second of action. He would play in Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, but only for 10 minutes, despite the absence of Jaime Jaquez Jr., where he went -15 from the floor with five turnovers.

When Spoelstra was asked after the loss about the confidence that infused Jovic’s game, Spoelstra would give my two cents on that term.

“I think that’s the narrative that’s out there,” Spoelstra said. “Look, he’s got to get into a better rhythm. He’s got to work. He’ll be just fine. But the more you put into it, he’s been sidelined a little bit with the injury, but that’s attention to detail. The work ethic every day has to be consistent, and he’ll get there.”

Erik Spoelstra would play down the narrative that confidence has a lot to do with Nikola Jovic’s game:

“I don’t accept that. That’s the narrative that’s there, he’s got to get into a better rhythm. He’s got to work hard, he’ll be just fine…” #HeatNation

Full answer: pic.twitter.com/FDDzE2UvgH

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 30, 2025

Since Spoelstra believed in Jovic, the moment of realization comes, when the 22-year-old told The Miami Herald after Sunday’s practice that “distraction” rather than not playing well at the moment.

“I don’t think it’s something that will last much longer,” Jovic said. “I still think I’m playing good basketball for others. I’m just playing bad basketball for myself… I’m working every day to get better, and I know I will.”

Heat Nikola Jović on improving the “mental” aspect

As Jovic is looking for consistency with the heat, he’s had long frustrating games in the past, but would eventually turn things around, like last season, where he didn’t play in six straight games, but played double-digit minutes in the last 32 games. This season, Jovic has looked to acclimate to Miami’s new fast-paced, seamless offensive system, which will seemingly take more time.

“It’s surprising for me, especially because I felt pretty good during training camp and a little bit in the preseason,” Jovic told the Miami Herald. “And going into the season like that, it feels weird. It still feels weird. You feel like you’re just trying to figure out where it went sideways. Like, why does it feel like that? Because I’ve never played like this.”

This season, Jović averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from deep. Miami’s 2022 first-round pick still boasts the intangibles and ability to play in a rotation, as proven Heat give Jovic 62.4 million contract extension.

Jović is convinced that this difficult part will not last long, and it is the “mental” side that he must work on.

“I feel like it’s a little more mental at the moment,” Jovic said. “I’m looking for shots because I’m worried about not playing as much or getting bad shots and stuff. But, yeah, I’ll be good. It’s nothing that’s going to last. The most important thing is that we win, and that’s what I’m really focused on.”

No doubt Miami fans will be watching to see how Jovic’s role changes throughout the season.