Why Bam Adebayo ‘should’ miss time with back pain

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat are missing Bam Adebayo and Tyler Hero again due to injury, there is no doubt that fans are disappointed with the injury problems this season. As it is Look for unsung heroes to step up during this period, fans are still wondering about the status of Adebayo and Hero going forward, as head coach Erik Spoelstra provides key insight.

Adebayo was ruled out for his second straight game Saturday against the Indiana Pacers with what was reported as “lower back soreness,” while Hero continues to miss time with a toe contusion. Looking at Adebayo, he was down before Friday’s game against the Hawks, which led to him being added to the injury report.

Although he was asked to enter the game and traveled with the apparent intention of playing, he eventually opted out. Spoelstra would say before Saturday’s contest that Adebayo is “definitely improving” and even expressed how he is “really needed” the rest due to lack of movement with a back injury.

“He flew out to Atlanta with us, you know, with that kind of intent, you know, but obviously he wasn’t moving well enough, you know, to compete in a game like that, but he’s definitely making progress,” Spoelstra said. “He really needed this time just to … he’s doing some work on overcompensation. I think he’s feeling a lot better every day.”

Erik Spoelstra says in the first video that Tyler Hero is “definitely improving” but not the schedule, same as Bam Adebayo.

Another video, Spo said Bam “really needed this time” to rest.

“He engaged in some business for overcompensation…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/K4oZbgKveS

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 27, 2025

Spoelstra would have much the same news about Hero, who, including Saturday, will miss seven straight games and nine of the last 10.

“He’s definitely progressing. I don’t have a timeline for you. I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing. The same goes for Bam (Adebayo),” Spoelstra said.

The Heat’s Erik Spoelstra if Bam Adebayo’s back injury ties him down

Doc Adebayo has been in a slump with the Heat before the injury, there were those who naturally associated it with a back problem that was the reason for the slide in the game. However, Adebayo was not on the injury report before the game against Atlanta, where he averaged 11.2 points and shot under 40 percent from the field over the last four games.

The notion that it is back pain was the reason for the fall Spoelstra would not comment.

“I’m not going to comment on that. He wouldn’t want me to comment on that,” Spoelstra said Friday, according to The Miami Herald. “But we’re just going to do as much treatment as we can. I know he needs this right now.”

As Spoelstra said, there is no timeline for Adebayo, and he will be treated “day-to-day,” though it will no doubt be an excruciating time for the team captain, as there is one person he wants to be there for his team, and that is the 28-year-old.

“We’ll see. We’ll take it day by day,” Spoelstra said. “I know him, I know his personality, I know how much he wants to be out there. But with the pain in his back and not moving well two days ago, yesterday was no better. Today was just full treatment and some light activity. So we’ll see where he is tomorrow.”

In any case, the next chance for Adebayo, and also Hero, to return will be on Monday, where it will be a rematch of the 2023 NBA Finals against star Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.