Jovic (nose) is available for Friday's game versus the Pacers.
Despite breaking his nose in Miami's most recent outing, Jovic is expected to play with a protective mask against Indiana. Across his 10 appearances so far this season, Jovic is averaging 8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.0 minutes.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Expected to play with mask
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The Heat are expecting a protective mask to arrive in time to allow Jovic (nose) to play in Friday's game versus the Pacers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic had to leave Tuesday's game versus the Pistons early due to a broken nose. However, it appears that Miami expects the 21-year-old big man to be able to suit up against Indiana.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Won't return Tuesday
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Jovic suffered a reduced septum during Tuesday's game against the Pistons and will not return.
The forward collided with Malik Beasley in the first quarter before heading back to the locker room, and the Heat have ruled him out for the remainder of the game due to the nose injury. With Jovic out, Jaime Jaquez, Haywood Highsmith and Duncan Robinson are candidates for an increased role.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Season-best effort from second unit
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Jovic ended with 15 points (6-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal over 23 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 95-94 victory over the Timberwolves.
With Kevin Love finally ready to make his season debut and Jimmy Butler (ankle) sidelined, the Heat shook up their starting frontcourt, with Jovic shifting to the second unit for the first time in 2023-24 in favor of Love and Haywood Highsmith. Jovic stayed productive though, tying his season high in scoring and setting a new high in boards. It's not clear if the third-year big will move back into the starting five once Butler is healthy, but he's making a case to retain a significant role -- through the six games in which he's played at least 20 minutes, Jovic is averaging 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 threes.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Modest production in loss
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Jovic finished with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and three steals in 20 minutes during Friday's 135-122 loss to Denver.
After playing only seven minutes as a starter in the first half, Jovic was benched to begin the second half. However, that didn't stop him from being productive, as he recorded seven points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in 13 minutes during the second half. Jimmy Butler (ankle) left the game early, and if he misses time, the Heat may need Jovic to be more aggressive offensively.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Plays five minutes
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Jovic recorded four points (1-2 FG, 2-2 FT) and one rebound in five minutes during Wednesday's 115-112 loss to the Suns.
Jovic was part of the starting unit Wednesday, a status he's held in all seven appearances this season. However, he logged a season low in minutes and didn't retake the floor after being subbed out with 6:44 left in the first quarter. While it isn't abnormal for Jovic to handle fewer minutes than a typical starter -- he averaged just 21.5 minutes per game before the loss to Phoenix -- Wednesday's game marked a new low for the third-year forward. His unstable role makes him difficult to trust in most fantasy formats, and his minutes should be watched closely by fantasy managers moving forward.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Drops six dimes in win
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Jovic totaled 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, six assists and two steals over 30 minutes during Saturday's 114-106 victory over Charlotte.
Jovic is off to a strong start as a full-time starter. Through two games, the third-year pro has totaled 25 points (10-22 FG), nine boards, seven dimes, three steals and one block. With Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez coming off the bench, Jovic faces stiff competition for playing time, but for now, he's locked into starter-level minutes. The potential returns of Kevin Love (personal) and Kel'el Ware (illness) soon could also mean slightly fewer minutes for Jovic moving forward.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Starts and scores 15 points
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Jovic finished with 15 points (7-15 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 116-97 loss to the Magic.
Jovic started 38 of 46 regular-season games last season, and he seems to have a leg up on Jaime Jaquez as the first-unit option for the Heat. Jovic's fantasy value is still up in the air, but his spot in the rotation warrants some consideration, especially if he's available on the waiver wire.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Progressing in recovery
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The Heat announced Saturday that Jovic (ankle) is progressing in his rehab, and there is still a possibility he will be able to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Serbia, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic suffered an ankle injury in June during an offseason workout. While initial reports stated that the 21-year-old big man was likely to miss the Olympics, he remains listed on Serbia's roster.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suffers ankle injury
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Jovic was diagnosed with a minor left ankle sprain Thursday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic is still expected to compete for Serbia in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which begin on July 28. Jovic made 38 starts for Miami this year and could start alongside Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt for Serbia.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Decent output in playoff exit
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Jovic ended with eight points (3-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 28 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic was forced to embrace a bigger role in the second half of the season and was a permanent fixture in the starting unit since mid-February. While he had some strong performances here and there, he lacked consistency on a game-to-game basis, and he was unable to become a reliable offensive alternative when the Heat needed him, especially in games where they were shorthanded. It remains to be seen if Jovic will remain a regular starter for the Heat next season. but it's worth noting he averaged 9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 33 starts since the beginning of February, counting both the regular season and the playoffs.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Grabs eight rebounds in Game 3 loss
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Jovic logged 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Saturday's 104-84 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic has been forced to play a prominent role for the Heat over the last few weeks, but he has been up to the task this postseason, scoring in double digits and grabbing at least six rebounds in his three appearances during the current series against Boston. Jovic should remain in the starting lineup for Game 4 on Monday. He's averaging 12.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in the first three games of the series.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Continues solid play Friday
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Jovic accumulated 22 points (9-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 27 minutes during Friday's 125-103 win over the Raptors.
Jovic bounced back from a subpar outing against the Mavericks on Wednesday, and he surpassed the 15-point mark for the third time across his last four outings. Jovic has been a regular starter for Miami in the last few weeks, and he has been up to the challenge, averaging 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game since the All-Star break. He's also scored in double digits in six of his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Tuesday
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Jovic (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Jovic has been upgraded from probable to available Tuesday despite dealing with a right ankle sprain. The 20-year-old big man has started in each of his last 22 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Likely to play Tuesday
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Jovic is probable for Tuesday's game against the Hawks with a right ankle sprain.
Jovic was previously dealing with a minor knee issue, but now it's his right ankle that's bothering him. He's expected to play, however, and he's averaged 22.4 minutes per game over his last 10 appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Good to go Tuesday
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Jovic (knee) will play Tuesday versus the Knicks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic is joined by Caleb Martin (ankle) and Terry Rozier (knee) in being cleared for action Tuesday, while Duncan Robinson (back) remains probable. Jovic is averaging 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 23.3 minutes across his last three appearances.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Active Sunday
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Jovic (knee) has been removed from the injury report in advance of Sunday's game against Washington.
Jovic will not miss any time after suffering a right knee contusion in Friday's mammoth victory over Portland. He is averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.5 made threes in 25.4 minutes across his last four healthy contests.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Probable to face Washington
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Jovic (knee) is probable to face the Wizards on Sunday.
Jovic sustained a right knee contusion in Friday's win over the Trail Blazers, but the probable tag suggests he shouldn't have significant problems returning to the hardwood ahead of Sunday's contest. Jovic is averaging 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in a starting role since the All-Star break.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Suffers knee contusion
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Jovic sustained a right knee contusion and wasn't able to return to Friday's 142-82 win over the Trail Blazers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. He finished with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes.
Jovic tried to play a few possessions after he picked up the injury, but he appeared to be uncomfortable. Miami had a big lead when Jovic left the game, so that may have factored into the club's decision to hold him out for the ret of the night. Jovic should be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Gets green light Wednesday
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Jovic (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Jovic has missed two straight games but will return to action Wednesday and will presumably draw another start, as Bam Adebayo (back) is sidelined. Jovic has started each of his last 12 appearances, averaging 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.4 minutes during that stretch.
