Herro Nears Return, but Heat Lose Leading Scorer Powell to Groin Injury

The Miami Heat enter Monday night’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks with both anticipation and concern as they await the potential return of Tyler Herro. The standout guard, who has yet to play this season, has been upgraded to questionable for the first time, signaling that his long-delayed debut may finally arrive. His return comes at a time when the Heat have exceeded expectations, opening the season with an 11–6 record and riding a four-game win streak.

Yet even with the boost of Herro’s possible comeback, the Heat’s latest injury report delivered disappointing news. Norman Powell, Miami’s breakout scorer and offseason acquisition, has been ruled out due to a left groin strain. The setback interrupts a stellar stretch for Powell, who has quickly become the Heat’s most productive offensive weapon during the early part of the season.

The injury surfaced in the wake of Powell’s dominant 32-point performance in Sunday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite looking sharp in extended minutes, lingering concerns from the previous game—where he briefly exited with a groin issue—proved meaningful. The team now awaits further clarity on the severity of the strain following imaging conducted after Sunday’s victory.

With Powell sidelined indefinitely and other rotation players also nursing injuries, Miami faces a challenging balancing act. The excitement of Herro’s return brings optimism, but the team must navigate a stretch where depth will be tested against a formidable opponent.

1. Herro Moves Closer to Season Debut

Herro’s upgrade to questionable marks the clearest indication yet that the guard is nearing full clearance. Miami has been intentionally cautious throughout his ramp-up, limiting contact work and emphasizing conditioning as he works back from his preseason setback. His return has been highly anticipated by fans and teammates alike, particularly as the Heat continue to solidify their identity in the early weeks of the season. Herro’s scoring, creativity, and pick-and-roll play could provide a significant lift to an offense that has leaned heavily on Powell’s production. Even if he plays Monday, Herro is expected to be on a minutes restriction while the Heat work him back into rhythm. The team has traditionally eased returning stars into workload increases, especially during the early stages of the season. Given the current injury landscape, Herro’s timing could be crucial for Miami—though it may take several games before he settles into his typical role and conditioning levels.

2. Powell’s Groin Strain Creates New Offensive Void

Powell’s absence presents a major setback for Miami, as the veteran guard has been one of the league’s most efficient scorers over the opening portion of the season. Averaging 25.4 points per game, he has consistently shouldered the offensive load while providing spacing, slashing, and much-needed shot creation. The groin issue first emerged during Friday’s blowout win against the Chicago Bulls, when Powell exited late in the first quarter with discomfort. Although he later returned and played well, the repetition of symptoms in the following days raised alarms for the team’s medical staff. After Sunday’s standout performance against Philadelphia, Powell underwent an MRI that confirmed the strain. The Heat have not announced a timetable for his return, leaving a significant gap in Miami’s backcourt production. With Powell sidelined and Herro only beginning his reintegration, Miami may need to rely more heavily on role players and secondary creators until the roster stabilizes.

3. Additional Injuries Impact Rotation Stability

Powell is not the only Heat player dealing with setbacks. Andrew Wiggins remains out with a left hip flexor strain, an injury that has kept him off the floor for the past two games. His absence removes a key perimeter defender and wing scorer from Miami’s rotation. Nikola Jovic is also unavailable due to a right hip impingement, marking his third consecutive missed contest. Jovic’s size, playmaking, and versatility have been useful in Miami’s second unit, making his loss more impactful amid the team’s growing list of absences. These injuries force the Heat to lean deeper into its bench, potentially giving extended opportunities to players who have only seen spot minutes thus far. The combination of missing starters and key reserves will test Miami’s ability to maintain defensive structure and offensive flow. Even so, Miami has shown resilience while navigating early-season turbulence. The return of Herro—even in a limited capacity—could help bridge the gap as they await clearer timelines for their recovering players.