Uncertain Return: Nikola Jovics 25-Game Absence Continues as Heat Eyes Play-In Tournament

Designated as routine in recent weeks, Nikola Jovic instead extended his absence from games to 25 on Wednesday.

Before the matchup against the Chicago Bulls at United Center, head coach Erik Spoelstra provided an update on the situation of the 21-year-old Serbian forward.

“He’s essentially doing everything. The question is whether his hand can handle contact,” he mentioned, refraining from giving a specific timeline for Jovic’s return.

Jovic accompanied the team to Chicago and will travel with them for their upcoming contest against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Friday. In the next edition of NBA Sundays, which will highlight the conclusion of the 2024-25 Regular Season, the Heat will host the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.

Following a fracture of the second metacarpal in his right hand in late February, the promising young player was sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. However, his recovery has exceeded the initial estimation. Across 46 previous games, including ten starts, he averaged 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game.

With a record of 36-44, Coach Spo, a two-time NBA champion, is steering the team towards the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament, looking to secure a spot in the 2025 Playoffs presented by Google.

The Orlando Magic has secured the seventh seed in the Play-In Tournament, while the Heat, currently just one game behind the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls, can place anywhere from eighth to tenth, potentially reaching seventh or eighth in the Eastern Conference bracket.

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