Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
Highsmith (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against Indiana, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Highsmith missed Tuesday's game against the Bucks due to a back injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return Tuesday. If he's sidelined once again, it's possible Caleb Martin and Kevin Love continue to see increased playing time.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Out Tuesday
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Highsmith (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Highsmith has been downgraded from questionable to out and will miss his first game since Oct. 30. Jimmy Butler (ankle) and Tyler Herro (ankle) are also out, so Jaime Jaquez, Josh Richardson and Caleb Martin are candidates for increased roles.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Questionable against Milwaukee
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Highsmith (back) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Highsmith was limited during Monday's practice session, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available Tuesday after he sustained a lower back contusion during Saturday's game against the Nets. If he sits out, Jaime Jaquez, Kevin Love and Nikola Jovic would be candidates to see additional minutes.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Limited at Monday's practice
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Highsmith (back) was a limited participant during Monday's practice, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Highsmith left Saturday's loss to Brooklyn early due to a back contusion and is in danger of missing Tuesday's In-Season Tournament matchup versus Milwaukee. Expect Miami to provide an update on Highsmith's status for Tuesday's game when the team releases its injury report later Monday.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Will not return
Rotowire
Highsmith will not return to Saturday's game against the Nets due to a lower back contusion. He finished with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt), four rebounds and one block in 15 minutes.
Highsmith took a hard fall under the basket and was in a lot of pain. The Heat were already missing a lot of players Saturday, so Nikola Jovic and Cole Swider picked up some minutes with the second unit. Miami's next game is Tuesday against the Bucks, and Highsmith should be considered questionable.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Produces in blowout victory
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Highsmith recorded 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 129-96 victory over the Cavaliers.
Highsmith got back on track Wednesday, delivering a serviceable two-way line. Despite continuing to start for the Heat, his production has been slightly underwhelming of late. While his role appears relatively secure for the moment, this performance is not enough to vault him into the standard league discussion. At best, he should be viewed as a defensive streaming option.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Fills up stat sheet in win
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Highsmith registered 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), five steals, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 33 minutes during Tuesday's 111-105 victory over Charlotte.
Highsmith was an elite defensive playmaker, forcing seven turnovers on a night where Miami had only seven as a team. He also scored efficiently, but Tuesday's performance remains more indicative of his ceiling than a realistic game-to-game expectation. That said, on the heels of the big outing, Highsmith may have increased his job security as a starting forward alongside Jimmy Butler.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Efficient from field Wednesday
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Highsmith finished with 14 points (5-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals across 27 minutes during Wednesday's 108-102 victory over Memphis.
Highsmith opened the season injured but has looked good of late, starting each of the Heat's last three games and scoring a season-high mark in this one. It's only been four games, but his efficiency stands out since he's shooting a strong 59.1 percent from the field.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Starting Friday
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Highsmith will start Friday's game against the Wizards.
Jaime Jaquez had been starting previously for the Heat in place of Kevin Love (shoulder). However, even though Love is available to play Friday, the veteran will come off the bench with Haywood Highsmith drawing the start. Highsmith has played well to begin the season, averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Plays 22 minutes in season debut
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Highsmith (knee) logged 22 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 109-105 loss to Brooklyn, finishing with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Highsmith was cleared to make his season debut Wednesday after he missed Miami's first four games while recovering from an MCL sprain of his left knee, an injury he suffered late in the preseason. Miami was without Kevin Love (shoulder) and Caleb Martin (knee) on Wednesday, and while the latter is facing an uncertain timeline for a return, Love should be back in action Friday versus the Wizards. The expected return of Love could result in Highsmith's playing time taking a hit if the Heat aren't missing any other key rotation players aside from Martin.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Good to go against Brooklyn
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Highsmith (knee) is available for Wednesday's game versus the Nets, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Highsmith has been upgraded from probable to available Wednesday after missing Miami's first four games of the season with a knee injury. Highsmith will likely serve as one of the Heat's backup forwards. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes across 54 appearances in 2022-23.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Trending in right direction
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Highsmith (knee) has been upgraded to probable for Wednesday's matchup against the Nets, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Highsmith will likely make his season debut after missing the first four contests due to a sprained MCL he suffered during training camp. Last season, the undrafted wing posted 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes across 54 appearances (11 starts) -- all career-high marks.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Questionable for Wednesday
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Highsmith (knee) is questionable to play in Wednesday's game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Highsmith was diagnosed with an MCL sprain on Oct. 19 and was slated to be re-evaluated in two weeks. However, he seems to be slightly ahead of schedule. If he's able to go Wednesday, Highsmith would provide fresh legs to a Miami offense that ranks 26th in efficiency.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Will miss start of regular season
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Highsmith will miss the start of the regular season after being diagnosed with a left MCL sprain, Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports.
Highsmith had already been ruled out for the preseason finale against the Rockets on Friday, but it seems the injury is more severe than originally expected. He averaged 9.3 points per game across four preseason contests. Highsmith's absence could open up playing time for Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez (groin) to begin the 2023-24 regular season.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Won't suit up in preseason finale
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Highsmith won't travel with the team for Friday's preseason game against the Rockets due to a left knee sprain, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
It's unclear if Highsmith's injury is serious or if the Heat are just being cautious with him for the preseason finale. Regardless, his next chance to suit up will be Miami's regular-season opener against Detroit on Oct. 25.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Efficient despite loss
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Highsmith posted 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt), three rebounds, an assist and a block across 27 minutes in Wednesday's 107-104 preseason loss to the Nets.
Highsmith is competing for a bench role ahead of Opening Night, and he certainly made his presence felt in this one, as he missed just two shots from the field and was one of Miami's highest-scoring players. He's averaging 9.3 points per game in four preseason contests.
Highsmith will start Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
The Heat have 10 players ruled out for the contest. Highsmith will be joined by Dru Smith Duncan Robinson, Jamal Cain and Thomas Bryant in the first unit, and they all figure to play heavy minutes for a shorthanded Miami squad.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Solid in increased role
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Highsmith ended Thursday's 110-97 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals with 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and two steals over 36 minutes.
Highsmith logged 36 minutes in the loss, sliding up in the rotation after Gabe Vincent was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Despite the loss, Highsmith provided the Heat with nice production off the bench, contributing on both ends of the floor. Should Vincent be ruled out for Game 6, expect to once again see Highsmith playing with more purpose as the Heat look to finish off the Celtics at home.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Cleared to play Friday
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Highsmith (knee) is available for Friday's Game 6 versus New York, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
As expected, Highsmith has been upgraded from probable to available and will suit up despite battling a lingering knee issue. Over the first five matchups of the series against the Knicks, Highsmith has averaged 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game.
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Heat's Haywood Highsmith: Probable Friday
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Highsmith (knee) is probable for Friday's Game 6 against New York.
Highsmith remains probable due to his lingering knee issue, but the injury hasn't impacted his availability recently. Over the first five matchups in the series, he's averaged 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game.
