Tyler Hero is developing key ‘synergy’ with Miami rookie, says Erik Spoelstra

MIAMI – Ace Miami Heat star Tyler Herro is back from a rib injury in a dominating 128-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, there’s no denying the point guard brought a big boost to the team. With The Heat want to maximize their lineups, now that Herro is in the mix, there seems to be chemistry between the star and newcomer Kasparas Yakutsionis.

There are duos in the squad who have yet to see the light of day with the amount of time Hero has missed, having been out not just 15 games before Friday’s win, but a total of 45 games with a myriad of issues. As a reliever, the rookie in Yakutsionis is getting extended minutes either off the bench or in some moments in the starting lineup.

Since Jan. 15 against the Boston Celtics, Yakutsionis has logged double-digit minutes in every game, showing the trust he’s building with the head coach Erik Spoelstra. On Friday, when both Hero and Yakutsionis were on the floor, it led to a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt as the rookie put the star in scoring position also caught the attention of Spoelstra, who noted “synergy” brewing.

“Obviously we haven’t seen a lot of them, just because of availability, but the skill level, the talent, the offensive talent, just not spending a ton of time together, you can see how there can be synergy,” Spoelstra said before the team played the Grizzlies on Saturday night. “Cass (Jakucionis) is a playmaker. He plays with pace, he wants to kick the ball forward, he wants to get the ball to guys almost to a foul, and you see how last night he was just looking for Tyler like he always does.”

Erik Spoelstra on the time last night when Tyler Herro and Kasparas Yakutsionis were on the court together: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/j6IsK8eKpl

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 21, 2026

The Heat’s Erik Spoelstra talks Kasparas Yakutsionis’ improvement

While Jakucionis possesses some unique qualities for warmthbeing drafted with the 20th overall pick in the last NBA draft, he gives the team a true point guard with potentially elite playmaking ability, an archetype the roster has been searching for.

At just 19 years old, there’s no denying the raw talent, though Yakutsionis has logged consistent minutes, averaging 22.7 minutes in February so far. His improvement was noticeable in his first season, with even Spoelstra talking about the Illinois product’s “work ethic.”

“So I’m encouraged by the possibilities with that, but Cass just keeps getting better,” Spoelstra said. “If you look at where he was in summer league compared to where he is now, it’s really a credit to his work ethic. He spent a lot of time with Coach Quinn and all the pre- and post-practice sessions. You know, he’s improved a lot. He’s earned this.”

It remains to be seen what Yakutsionis’ role will look like with the team getting healthier, though with Davion Mitchell missing Saturday’s game with a head injury, the rookie would even get the start over Herr as the team manages the star’s minutes after injury. Still, Hero led the heat and the entire game with 24 points on nine-of-14 shooting from the field, two-of-four from deep.

Either way, the team is looking for consistency, as the team is 30-27 before Saturday’s game at Memphis, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. After that, the Heat travel to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.