Video: Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic Swings at Heat's Tyler Herro After Being Shoved
Jan 6, 2022
Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic shoots over Miami Heat forward PJ Tucker during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro and Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic were both ejected after an altercation near the end of Miami's 115-109 road win on Wednesday evening.
The Blazers had the ball down 112-102 with one minute remaining. Nurkic set a hard screen on Herro to free wing Norman Powell's drive to the lane.
Herro, who tumbled to the floor, didn't take kindly to the pick and reacted by sprinting toward Nurkic and shoving him in the back.
The Blazers big man then threw a left hand at Herro's face with Heat wing Caleb Martin trying to hold the center back.
The two players were quickly separated by players and referees before being ejected from the game.
When the matchup resumed, Powell hit two free throws as a result of a shooting foul that occurred in conjunction with the Herro-Nurkic dust-up.
Powell got hot down the stretch with seven points in the final minute, including a pair of free throws to cut the Miami lead to 113-109, but the Heat held on for the win.
Heat Reportedly Hope Jimmy Butler Will Return from Ankle Injury by End of Week
Jan 4, 2022
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
The Miami Heat's initial hope is that Jimmy Butler will be able to return from a right ankle injury by the end of the week, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Butler has suffered a series of
injuries to his right ankle during the 2021-22 NBA season, most recently
leaving Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors after
slipping while trying to drive the paint.
Jimmy Butler was helped off of the court after an apparent right ankle injury.
He also missed time with a
tailbone injury earlier in the campaign.
The 32-year-old Marquette product has
been his usual productive self when healthy. He's averaged 23.2
points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.0 steals through 23
appearances during the current campaign.
Caleb Martin should see the biggest
uptick in playing time for as long as Butler is sidelined. Max Strus and KZ
Okpala are other options for more opportunities in the forward rotation.
Miami put together a strong start to
the season, which gives it a little more flexibility when it comes
to taking a conservative approach with injured players. Having
everyone healthy for the playoffs is the top priority.
Butler will slide back into his typical
high-usage role once cleared to return.
Heat's Jimmy Butler to Be Evaluated Tuesday After Suffering Ankle Injury vs. Warriors
Jan 4, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 27, 2021 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler will be evaluated on Tuesday after suffering a right ankle injury during Monday's 115-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Erik Spoelstra says Jimmy Butler will be evaluated tomorrow. He said if you talk to Butler right now, Jimmy says he’s feeling good but Heat will wait to see how his turned ankle feels.
Butler was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game. He led Miami with 22 points prior to exiting.
Butler missed time earlier this season because of ankle and tailbone injuries and has played more than 67 games just once since the 2012-13 campaign.
When healthy, he is the on-court leader for the Heat as a four-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive selection and five-time All-Star who can take over a game offensively or help shut down an opponent's best player on the defensive end.
The 32-year-old is averaging 23.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game as someone who impacts winning in a variety of ways.
While Miami will struggle to replicate that if Butler is sidelined, look for Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin to see more time. The Heat roster is already thin with wing players Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent currently in the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Chris Bosh Jokes About Return to Heat After Mario Chalmers Signs 10-Day Contract
Dec 31, 2021
BROOKLYN, NY - MAY 12: Mario Chalmers #15 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat ishake hands after the game against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2014 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat signed Mario Chalmers to a 10-day contract on Thursday, and now Chris Bosh wants to get the band back together.
Bosh, a Hall of Famer who spent six seasons in Miami, joked that he wants Chalmers to try to convince the Heat to sign him, adding that he's still in shape.
Hey @mchalmers15 tell them we can bring back the ol pick and roll! Let’s get the band back together!
Chalmers spent eight seasons in Miami and played six alongside Bosh. The two helped the Heat win back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.
Chalmers hasn't played in the NBA since the 2017-18 season, while Bosh announced his retirement in February 2019. Bosh missed the entire 2016-17 season due to blood clots and never returned to the league.
During his six seasons with the Heat, Bosh averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Chalmers, meanwhile, averaged 8.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in eight seasons in Miami.
Mario Chalmers, Heat Agree to 10-Day Contract; Won 2 Championships with Miami
Dec 30, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 05: Mario Chalmers #15 of 3's Company dribbles the ball while being guarded by Mike Taylor #88 of the Ghost Ballers during BIG3 - Week Five at the Fiserv Forum on August 05, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Mario Chalmers is a member of the Miami Heat yet again. At least temporarily.
The Heat signed the veteran guard to a 10-day hardship contract on Thursday, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The Heat are just the latest NBA team dealing with major COVID-19 issues, causing a flurry of replacement-player signings:
Heat have had more players test positive. At moment, eight in protocols, one close to getting out. Will be without at least seven roster players if Houston game is played. Many members on basketball side have tested positive.
Can confirm Heat adding Nick Staukas, with signing to be delayed until Friday to maximize the 10 days, Heat still also bringing in Haywood Highsmith. Two other emergency 10-days already signed: Kyle Guy, Aric Holman.
Heat 10-day addition Zylan Cheatham remains in quarantine in San Antonio, but P.J. Tucker, also in quarantine, was able to drive to Houston, where he owns a home, and isolate there.
And so the team turned to Chalmers, who spent eight seasons with the team and won two titles during the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh years.
He was a popular role player during his Heat years, and more than a few folks were excited to see his return, even under the circumstances:
*BOOM* The Superintendent himself, Mario Chalmers was just signed by the Heat. Can Rony Seikaly be far behind???
Chalmers, 35, last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 season for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 7.7 points and 3.0 assists in 66 games (10 starts). in his 10-year career, he averaged 8.9 points and 3.7 assists, shooting 35.1 percent from three.
The 6'2" point guard has since spent time playing overseas in Europe, for the BIG3 and most recently with the G League's Grand Rapids Gold.
His return to the Heat will be the best Christmas present he could have (and did) ask for:
Praying for a call up….that’s all I want Santa lol
According to NBA writer Marc Stein, Chalmers is the 100th replacement player to be called up during the NBA season. It's comes on the same day that Thursday's matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets was postponed because of COVID-19 issues, the 11th postponement of the NBA season.
Heat vs. Spurs Postponed Due to Miami's COVID-19 Issues, Injuries
Dec 29, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 04: A detail of the Miami Heat "Vice Versa" logo on the court during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena on January 04, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The NBA has postponed Wednesday's game between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat didn't have at least eight players available, which is the minimum number required of a team to play.
The Heat said Wednesday that Zylan Cheatham, P.J. Tucker and Gabe Vincent entered the health and safety protocols, while Jimmy Butler, Markieff Morris and KZ Okpala would be out through injury.
Six other players were listed in Miami's injury report:
Multiple reports laid out how desperate things had become for the Heat:
The Miami Heat are signing C Aric Holman of the G-League Austin Spurs to a 10-day hardship deal, sources tell ESPN. His best attribute today? Driving distance. He's on his way to San Antonio to meet the Heat and help them have 8 active players to avoid a postponement vs. Spurs.
Here's where Heat-Spurs stands: NBA basically has told Heat to take any three available players from G League Austin Spurs. Heat also have injury concerns with Garrett (wrist), Robinson (chest, I believe, from early foul Tuesday). Talks ongoing.
A number of teams across the league have struggled to meet the eight-player threshold due to the increase in COVID-19 cases brought on by the omicron variant.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN's Malika Andrews on Dec. 21 that league officials weren't yet considering a pause to allow teams to get their players back from the protocols:
Commissioner Adam Silver joined NBA Today to talk about COVID in the league as Christmas Day approaches.
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shortened its recommended isolation time following a positive COVID test, though, the NBA amended its return-to-play protocols. Players who test positive can isolate for as few as six days before returning as long as they're asymptomatic and fulfill other testing measures.
The Heat are off Thursday and return to action Friday against the Houston Rockets. Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel reported Butler and Kyle Lowry are both expected to be available, thus helping the team potentially avert another postponement.
Heat's Kyle Lowry Enters NBA's Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 25, 2021
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 21: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 21, 2021 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Miami Heat star Kyle Lowry has been placed in COVID-19 protocols and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Orlando Magic, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida-Sun Sentinel.
Losing Lowry for any stretch is bad news for the Heat. He's Miami's starting point guard and has been one of the team's best players this season, averaging 13.9points,4.6rebounds and 8.2assists in 31 games this season.
With Lowry sidelined, the Heat will rely on Tyler Herro at point guard. Herro has been tremendous this season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
The Heat could have used Victor Oladipo with Lowry out of the lineup, but the former Indiana Pacer is still recovering from quadriceps surgery he underwent in May.
Miami is 20-13 on the season, good for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Lowry joined the Heat on a three-year, $85 million deal during the offseason.
Dwyane Wade: ‘I Don’t Know’ If Heat Would’ve Won More Titles If LeBron James Stayed
Dec 23, 2021
FILE - In this June 22, 2012, file photo, The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade holds the the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy and LeBron James holds his most valuable player trophy after Game 5 of the NBA finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in Miami. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade match up for probably the final time in their careers when the Lakers host the Heat, Monday night, Dec. 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The NBA icons came into the league in 2003 and teamed up to win two championships while reaching four NBA Finals together in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Despite making four straight NBA Finals appearances during their time together as teammates, Dwyane Wade doesn't know if the Miami Heat would have added more banners to the rafters if LeBron James stayed after the 2013-14 season.
Appearing on Jalen Rose's Renaissance Manpodcast (starts at 17:30 mark), Wade had this response when asked how many more championships he thinks the Heat would have won if James didn't leave as a free agent:
I don’t know. That Golden State team was right on our heels. I really don’t know. I wasn’t in my prime anymore. I was outside of my prime about 2014. And so, that would have made it hard for us to really win if I was still going to be a big part of it. Chris Bosh not knowing what he was going to be dealing with later, he was in his prime and LeBron was in his, but I wasn’t in mine anymore. And it would have made it tough to keep going, so I would have really, really had to find health in a big way very quickly to keep competing at that level and because my body was going through so much.
When the Heat added James and Chris Bosh as free agents in the summer of 2010, there was a reasonable assumption that the franchise would be the NBA's next great dynasty.
The on-court results were routinely spectacular, as they won 71.8 percent of their regular-season games (224-88) and back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.
There were some cracks in the foundation that really began to show during the 2013-14 season. The team's net rating of plus-5.2 was still good enough for fourth in the NBA, but it was by far the lowest mark of the Heatles era after (8.2 in 2010-11; 6.5 in 2011-12; 8.6 in 2012-13).
Wade missed 28 games during the 2013-14 regular season.
The Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals in five games. San Antonio's four wins in the series came by an average of 18 points.
While the Eastern Conference didn't have much depth at that time, the Western Conference was a nightmare at the top.
The Spurs remained an elite team for three more seasons after the 2014 Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder were at their peak with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and the Warriors were on the verge of becoming a juggernaut after winning 51 games in 2013-14.
James elected to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent in July 2014. He helped the franchise reach four consecutive NBA Finals in each of his four seasons, including a memorable win over Golden State in 2016.
It's a testament to how well the Heat attract talent and develop their own young players that they never really bottomed out after the dissolution of the Big Three. They have made the playoffs four times in the past seven seasons and made it to the 2020 NBA Finals before losing to James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 21: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat shoots a three point basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 21, 2021 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
It didn't take the Miami Heat long to bounce back from their loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Miami defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-96 in Tuesday's Eastern Conference clash at FTX Arena. Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro led the way for the victors, who improved to 19-13 overall and 5-2 in their last seven games.
A solid showing from Chris Duarte wasn't enough for the Pacers, who dropped to 13-19 and saw the momentum they created with a 4-2 stretch come to an end.
If the Heat make the playoffs and challenge in the Eastern Conference, Tuesday's roster surely won't be the one they are hoping to rely on with a championship on the line. After all, they were without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker, Caleb Martin, Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo and figured to have their hands full keeping pace with Indiana.
And then the game actually happened.
Miami wasted no time setting the tone while jumping out to a commanding 23-point halftime lead behind its red-hot three-point shooting. Robinson led the way from the perimeter with four triples before intermission, while Herro aggressively sought out his shot and flew through the air for a monster dunk.
Lowry also stood out as the primary facilitator with the ball in his hands so often, and he battled for boards from the backcourt to help make up for the lack of overall depth across the roster.
The Heat continued to put on a show in the second half and closed the third quarter with a 13-2 run to remove any doubt about the outcome.
Robinson stretched the floor with his shooting, which opened up driving lanes for Herro and Lowry. Lowry took advantage of those openings by getting into the lane and then kicking out on his way to double-digit assists, and Max Strus got in on the action with his own three-point barrage.
Many of those who were so dialed in during Tuesday's blowout win will be role players when the roster is more intact, but these games should only bolster their confidence and make Miami all the more dangerous come playoff time.
Pacers Defense Goes Missing in Loss
The Pacers may be better than their record indicates, and the fact they entered play 12th in the league in net rating, per NBA.com, supports that notion.
Tuesday's game against a short-handed Heat squad was a golden opportunity to continue their recent momentum and further prove the slow start was an anomaly, but that chance went to waste right out of the gates.
Indiana struggled on both ends of the floor during an abysmal first half. It had no answer for Robinson on the outside while on defense and then forced the issue with a number of contested looks on offense. Justin Holiday in particular couldn't find his stroke from deep, and Miami made life difficult on Domantas Sabonis by sending double-teams his way on the blocks.
Duarte provided a scoring spark off the bench as the lone bright spot during the first half, but it was nowhere near enough to remain within realistic striking distance.
Things got worse for the Pacers when Malcolm Brogdon was ruled out with a sore right Achilles, which did nothing to help their poor defensive effort as Miami continued to keep them at bay. Those defensive concerns were even more poignant when Caris LeVert hitting multiple threes and Duarte continuing to play well did nothing to meaningfully cut into the deficit.
Unfortunately for Indiana, this was another missed chance against a short-handed team.
It also lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday even though the reigning champions were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. If the Pacers don't make a run and get back into the playoff picture, they will surely look back on some of these losses against opponents missing their best players.
What's Next?
Both teams are home Thursday when the Heat host the Pistons and the Pacers face the Houston Rockets.
NBA Rumors: Former Heat PG Mario Chalmers Agrees to G League Contract
Dec 18, 2021
DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 31: Mario Chalmers #15 of 3's Company looks on during the game against Tri State during BIG3 - Week Four at the American Airlines Center on July 31, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for BIG3)
Former Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers has agreed to a contract with the NBA G League's Grand Rapids Gold and will play in the G League Showcase Dec. 19-22, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.
Chalmers last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 campaign. He has since played in Italy, Greece and Puerto Rico, and has also played in the BIG3, a three-on-three pro basketball league founded by rapper/actor Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017.
Chalmers' decision to return to the United States stems from his desire to return to the NBA. The 35-year-old told JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors that he always wanted to return and end his career in the U.S.
"Finishing my career where I started would mean the world to me," Chalmers said. "I first got drafted into the NBA. I never had dreams of walking away from the game of basketball overseas, so this would be a great way to end my career. Just being back at home in front of the fans that helped me get to where I am today."
Chalmers added that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank and will be ready if and when another opportunity arises:
I have a lot left in the tank. I have fresh legs, a fresh body and I'm ready for that full NBA grind again. A lot of teams are fighting for those 16 playoff spots, so at the end of the day, if someone gets hurt or COVID becomes an issue, I'm ready.
I've been in the gym. I catch on fast and won't miss a beat. I've already been there before. At the end of the day, I know what it takes to help win a championship.
Chalmers' bid to return to the NBA probably couldn't have come at a better time. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Baxter Holmes, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are talking about implementing a rule that would force teams hit with significant COVID-19 outbreaks to sign replacement players.
Allowing teams to sign replacement players would limit potential game postponements and cancellations. So, Chalmers definitely has a shot at returning.
Chalmers spent the first seven-and-a-half seasons of his NBA career with the Heat before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2015-16 campaign. He then suffered an Achilles tear in 2016 and was waived by Memphis, who re-signed him two years later, but he did not return to the NBA after the 2017-18 campaign.
In nine NBA seasons, the two-time champion averaged 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from deep.
