The Heat announced Friday that Smith underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.
Smith ruptured his Achilles against Brooklyn on Monday and has suffered a season-ending injury in back-to-back years. Smith is set to become a free agent this offseason and will likely look to earn a contract as a backup point guard.
Smith sustained a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in Monday's 110-95 win over Brooklyn, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The setback is a devastating one for Smith, who had already missed most of the 2023-24 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee last November. Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way deal this July and had recently worked his way into the rotation, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 26.1 minutes over a stretch of eight games before going down with the Achilles injury early in Monday's win. He'll continue to occupy a two-way slot while he recovers from the injury, though the Heat could eventually waive him in order to sign a healthy player.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Won't return Monday
Rotowire
Smith (lower leg) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Nets.
Smith suffered what appeared to be a significant lower left leg injury during Monday's game and was quickly ruled out. He'll finish the contest scoreless (0-1 FG) with one rebound and one assist in seven minutes. Expect Alec Burks and Pelle Larsson to pick up the slack. Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Smith will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. We should have a clearer picture of his status following the test.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Not starting Monday
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Smith is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith will return to the bench after starting in the Dec. 21 loss to the Magic, when he tallied 13 points, four rebounds and four steals across 26 minutes. That was his first start of the campaign, and the floor general is averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game when coming off the bench.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Making second career start
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Smith is part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Smith will make his first start of the season Saturday, stepping into the first unit in place of Jimmy Butler (illness). Smith has logged more than 25 minutes in five straight games, averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals during that stretch.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Records six steals
Rotowire
Smith closed with seven points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and six steals over 31 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 125-124 overtime loss to Detroit.
Smith continues to make noise for Miami, recording a career-high six steals in this loss. With so many rumors swirling around the future of Jimmy Butler, Smith is someone that could step into a larger role if Miami deals their star forward. Through six December contests, Smith is averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 three-pointers.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Ties season high with 11 points
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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
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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: 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
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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: Season over
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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
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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: Cleared to play
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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: Puts up 13 points in loss
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Smith racked up 13 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds and three assists across 26 minutes in Friday's 120-104 preseason loss to the Spurs.
Smith got the start at point guard with several regulars being rested, and he delivered a strong performance despite the loss. Smith is currently playing on a two-way deal, and given the Heat's depth in the backcourt, he's expected to begin the season in the G League with Sioux Falls.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Gets start Friday
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Smith will start Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
The Heat have 10 players ruled out, including all of their normal starters. Smith will be joined by Duncan Robinson, Jamal Cain, Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant in the starting five, and they all figure to play heavy minutes with Miami shorthanded.
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Nets' Dru Smith: Posts efficient shooting line
Rotowire
Smith scored 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 37 minutes Saturday against the Charge.
Smith led Long Island's bench in scoring with 19 points and he did so by knocking down 75.0 percent of his tries from the field. He also crashed the glass for seven rebounds, tying RaiQuan Gray for the team lead.
