Erik Spoelstra teases a bigger role for Tyler Hero due to Norman Powell’s injury

ByNBAUSA


MIAMI – S Miami Heat star Norman Powell, who he considered “week in week out.” groin strain, the team is looking for ways to fill the void left by the All-Star now, which is no doubt a big question as to how productive he has been. As it is Frustrations with the heat rise amid the backward steps in the last two disappointing losses, the head coach Erik Spoelstra expresses confidence that the team can keep the ship afloat, especially with a star Tyler Herro.

With Powell dealing with a Grade 1 groin strain that will potentially keep the 32-year-old out for several games as Miami has four games this week, Hero is the obvious choice to take over as the lead offensive option alongside Bama Adebayo. Still, Powell was key to the Heat’s offense, leading the team with 22.5 points per game, but it can’t be forgotten that Hero was an All-Star last season, averaging 23.9 points per game.

Even though Miami is losing Powell for an undisclosed amount of time, Hero’s workload looks set to increase, and Spoelstra even told ClutchPoints that “I plan on playing with him for a few more minutes though.”

“Well, we know what we’re missing with Norm,” Spoelstra said before Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets. “He’s proven this year that he’s a versatile, explosive scorer in our system, but we’ve got other guys that can step up. Tyler’s certainly a guy that’s starting to get into a better rhythm and was planning to play him a few more minutes anyway.”

“So we need it,” Spoelstra continued. “You could see him in the second half (of last Thursday’s loss to the Philly 76ers) a lot more like himself, and I think it’s going to continue to get better.”

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Norman Powell’s treatment, more on Tyler Hero

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) warms up before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

While it is The Heat are tired of participating in the play-in tournamentlooking to climb the table with 22 games to go until Saturday, Herro will be key in keeping the attack going. However, this could mean a role reversal from what fans have seen, as Herro, after missing 15 games with a rib injury, has come off the bench for the last four games.

The question was already whether Hero would be reinserted into the starting lineup, but now that Powell is out, does Miami have a choice? Time will tell, but there’s no denying Hero wants to stay healthy and help the Heat through the rest of the season, having missed 45 games this season with a myriad of injuries.

Also, the trio of Hero, Powell and Adebayo have only played 11 games this season, giving the team a small sample of the ceiling this team can reach. Either way, Powell will work to return, although it remains to be seen how much time will be missed.

“We have what we have available today.” I feel for Normbecause he wants to be there for all the games, especially in these moments, you know, right now. “But we’re going to treat him and see where he’s at after Sunday,” Spoelstra said.

Before Saturday’s game against the Rockets, Miami is 31-29, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, but the good news is that, including the aforementioned contest, they host the Heat in seven of their next eight games.





2026-02-28 19:44:00

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