Jovic (ankle) posted 10 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and four rebounds in 11 minutes during Serbia's 94-72 exhibition win over Greece on Monday.
Jovic sprained his ankle in mid-June, and there were conflicting reports about his availability ahead of the Paris Olympics. It looks like the 21-year-old forward is still working his way back to full strength, evidenced by playing only 11 minutes versus Greece, but he has appeared in back-to-back exhibitions. Jovic should be available for Serbia's showdown against Team USA on July 28, the first game of the Olympics for both squads.
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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.
Jovic (ankle) didn't travel with the Serbian national team for Friday's preparatory game against France and is considered likely to sit out the 2024 Paris Olympics, EuroHoops.net reports.
Jovic suffered his injury in June but appears to still be dealing with a fracture of the ankle joint. While there is no indication that the 20-year-old forward will miss any of the NBA season, his absence will be a big blow to the Serbian national team's hopes in Paris.
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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.
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.
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: Available for Game 2
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Jovic (back) is available for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Celtics.
Jovic was a late addition to the injury report due to a minor back issue, but as expected, he's been upgraded from probable to available. He posted 10 points, six rebounds and a block in 26 minutes during Sunday's 114-94 Game 1 loss.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Dealing with minor back issue
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Jovic is probable for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Celtics due to back discomfort/spasms.
Jovic is still expected to suit up despite being a late addition to the injury report. He posted 10 points, six rebounds and one block in 26 minutes during the 114-94 Game 1 loss and has started 29 straight appearances dating back to the regular season.
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: Efficient in double-overtime win
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Jovic totaled 23 points (8-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 40 minutes during Tuesday's 117-111 double-overtime win over the Hawks.
Jovic was efficient and continues to embrace the starting role, as he's now scored in double digits in four of his last six appearances. This was just the second time he surpassed the 20-point mark. While he's not expected to do it regularly in the future, his fantasy upside has increased considerably now that he's a regular member of the first unit. Jovic has started 23 consecutive games and is averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game during that stretch.
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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: Expected to play Tuesday
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Jovic (knee) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
Jovic continues to deal with a minor right knee contusion he suffered on Friday against Portland. However, he played through it Sunday against the Wizards and recorded 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 22 minutes.
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Heat's Nikola Jovic: Hits 12 points, grabs eight boards
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Jovic ended Sunday's 119-107 victory over the Wizards with 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 22 minutes.
Jovic was listed as probable with a knee contusion before Sunday's match, and if his performance was any indication, he didn't deal with any lingering effects from that minor issue. Jovic has established himself as a regular starter for the Heat in recent weeks and has averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game since the beginning of March.
