Smith totaled 11 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Thursday's 114-104 win over Toronto.
With Josh Richardson (heel) still sidelined, Smith saw a career-high 34 minutes. The third-year player made the most of it, tying his season high in points, outscoring starter Duncan Robinson (eight) and fellow second-unit guys Jaime Jaquez (six) and Terry Rozier (five). Thursday night's game made it clear that coach Erik Spoelstra trusts Smith to produce in a larger role as long as Richardson remains out.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Cleared for Wednesday's game
Rotowire
Smith (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's game at the Hornets.
Smith has seen periodic minutes for Miami this season, though coach Erik Spoelstra seems to be searching for a spark, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Smith gets an extra look now and then. In 10.4 minutes per game this season, the guard is averaging 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Smith will likely be available after missing two straight games due to a knee injury. However, he has had a volatile role with the Heat, and he's not guaranteed to see any rotation minutes on a nightly basis.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith is slated to miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. His role has been sporadic this season, so his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation, especially considering the Heat are getting Terry Rozier (foot) back from a two-game absence.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Questionable for Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith missed Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise he suffered in Friday's practice, but he remains day-to-day. When the Heat are healthy, Smith faces an uphill battle for consistent minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Sunday with bone bruise
Rotowire
Smith won't play in Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise.
Smith sat out Friday's practice with the injury. The two-way player has been largely outside of the Heat's rotation this season, though he saw 25 minutes off the bench in Miami's most recent game Monday and recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over the 76ers. The Heat will get Jaime Jaquez (ankle) back from a one-game absence Sunday, and he could end up absorbing most of Smith's minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Sits out practice
Rotowire
Smith didn't participate in Friday's practice due to a swollen knee, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
With Terry Rozier (foot) out for Miami's most recent contest, Smith logged 25 minutes of action. However, with Rozier nearing a return to the lineup, Smith will likely return to a depth role in the team's backcourt. Regardless, the 26-year-old guard's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Back to bench
Rotowire
Smith won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic.
With most of Miami's regulars resting during the preseason finale, Smith drew a spot start. However, aside from Josh Richardson (shoulder), the Heat are healthy heading into the regular season, so Smith isn't guaranteed playing time on Opening Night.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Starting preseason finale
Rotowire
Smith is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies.
The Heat are resting most of their regulars in the preseason finale since the start of the regular season is right around the corner. Smith will get the nod at point guard in place of Terry Rozier (rest) and will play alongside Pelle Larsson in the backcourt.
Smith (knee) agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat on Monday.
This signing presumably means that Smith has returned to health following a season-ending knee injury that limited him to nine games during the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in nine appearances before going down with the injury. Smith figures to split time between the Heat and the club's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
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Dru Smith: Cut by Miami
Rotowire
The Heat plan to waive Smith (knee) on Tuesday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith is out for the season after tearing his right ACL in November, so Miami opted to move on from him to clear up a roster spot for veteran guard Patty Mills, who was recently bought out by Atlanta. The 26-year-old Smith averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest across nine appearances for Miami before suffering the season-ending injury and undergoing surgery.
The Heat announced Friday that Smith (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
An MRI revealed a third-degree right knee sprain for Smith, which will result in a premature end to his season. The second-year guard averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 triples across 14.6 minutes in nine games. His absence will thin the depth in Miami's backcourt until they make a corresponding move.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Friday, getting MRI
Rotowire
Smith (knee) is out for Friday's matchup against the Knicks and will be getting an MRI that day, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Smith's role has fluctuated this season based on teammate availability, but now he's the one dealing with an injury. Even if his MRI returns clean, it seems unlikely he'd play Saturday against the Nets, either.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Suffers knee injury, ruled out
Rotowire
Smith won't return to Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers due to a right knee injury.
After jumping to contest a three-pointer, Smith's right leg came down into what appeared to be an opening underneath the Cavaliers bench, and the guard immediately left the contest. He won't return with what is being called a right knee injury, and he'll finish the contest scoreless over one minute. Expect Josh Richardson and Jaime Jaquez to see more work off the bench. Smith's next chance to play will come Friday against the Knicks -- the first game of a back-to-back set.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Upgraded to standard contract
Rotowire
The Heat signed Smith to a multi-year standard NBA contract Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
After making 15 NBA appearances in 2022-23 between the Heat and Nets and averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes, Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way pact in July. The Heat had an opening on the 15-man roster, and Smith will ultimately step in to fill the void while Miami keeps Cole Swider, R.J. Hampton and Jamal Cain as its three two-way players heading into the start of the regular season. It's unclear if Smith will open the season with a regular spot in head coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Smith (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's preseason game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith missed the previous contest due to a hamstring injury but will be back in action Wednesday. He figures to handle a major role, as Miami has a handful of regulars sidelined versus Brooklyn for various reasons.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out with hamstring issue
Rotowire
Smith won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Grizzlies due to a hamstring injury, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Smith was solid in a spot start Friday, posting 13 points in 26 minutes, but it appears he picked up a hamstring injury as well. It's unclear how severe the injury is, but his next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against Brooklyn.
