Erik Spoelstra praises Tyler Hero despite missing 40 games

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat are dealing with injuries for games against the Chicago Bulls this weekend, one name that has been on the injury report for most of the season has been a star Tyler Herro. As it is A hot look to get out of eighth seed purgatory, the team was looking for consistency in his health, as the head coach Erik Spoelstra talks about Herro’s injury-riddled season.

Saturday night against the Bulls will mark the ninth straight game Hero has missed with a rib injury labeled “Right costochondral; rib injury.” Aside from missing time with the ribs, Saturday will also be his 39th game missed overall, with all signs pointing to a 40th absence on Sunday in the second game of back-to-back games, though that remains to be seen.

He missed the first 17 games of the season with offseason ankle surgery, then more time with a toe contusion and now a rib problem. There’s no denying how frustrating it could be for Herr coming off an All-Star season last year and now unable to stay healthy, but Spoelstra would tell ClutchPoints that if there’s one aspect the guard encompasses, it is “decisive”.

“There are things that happen to players in this league sometimes that you can’t control,” Spoelstra said. “The one thing I know about Tyler after spending so many years with him is that he’s determined. He’s got grit. He fights and focuses on the things he can control. Right now, everything is getting healthy, and they’re going to do their best to prepare. I’ve always admired that quality in him.”

No updates on Herr, but I would ask Erik Spoelstra about the disappointment of missing close to 40 games with a myriad of injuries.

“The one thing I know about Tyler…is that he has determination…right now, it’s just getting healthy and they’re going to work hard…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/8egipKSGHZI

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 31, 2026

Tyler Herro to Heat trade rumors ahead of deadline

Injuries aside, Herro is undoubtedly involved Hot trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpoalthough it’s not out of the norm for a keeper to guess. However, the team is focused on getting consistency on the floor rather than listening to online chatter, something Spoelstra emphasized before Wednesday’s loss to the Orlando Magic.

“We really don’t give time,” Spoelstra said. “You know, the veterans, they understand that a lot of it is just speculation. It’s just a bunch of BS, but that’s part of our job. That’s what we all sign up for. You’ve got to be professional all the way through. And the most important thing is that you have the opportunity right now. You know, out of all these games ahead of us, it’s an opportunity to play well and improve.”

Erik Spoelstra asked about the trade deadline around the Heat (not mentioned, but obviously Giannis).

“We really don’t give time…it’s part of our job, it’s what we all sign up for…the most important thing is that we have the opportunity right now…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/e4KbOSt85u

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 28, 2026

Hero was a major part of the consensus in a potential deal for Antetokounmpo, which would also include a mix of young players, draft picks and trades. It also helps that Herro was born in Wisconsin, which fuels speculation.

In the 11 games Herro played this season, he averaged 21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Either way, with fans waiting until next Thursday’s trade deadline to see if the team will land Antetokounmpo and if Herro will be included in a potential deal, the star guard and the Heat are looking to get back on track. Before this weekend’s back-to-back against the Bulls, the team is 26-23, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.