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Mar 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) battles for the rebound with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat could be without a critical big man in the club's fifth game during its ongoing 2025-26 season campaign, a clash against All-Star center Victor Wembanyama's as-yet undefeated San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
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Recently extended power forward Nikola Jovic has been struggling with a strained right groin, and was initially considered questionable to suit up. But he's gotten some good news as of late.
Per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Jovic has seen his status upgraded to probable. Jovic agreed to a four-year, $62.4 million contract extension with Miami this summer, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Other key absences
Meanwhile, guard Norman Powell has revealed whether or not he'll suit up for the bout.
Powell was sidelined for Miami's last game, a 144-117 obliteration of the Charlotte Hornets, with a lingering groin injury. He had been initially listed as doubtful to play.
Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Powell will miss Thursday's clash against San Antonio, after all.
All-Star shooting guard Tyler Herro, of course, remains out for a few more months recovering from his left ankle surgery. Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis is still on the shelf with a strained right groin, too. Terry Rozier remains away from the team as he deals with an FBI gambling indictment.
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The absence of Powell will be deeply felt in the Heat's backcourt on Thursday. Following a breakout season with the LA Clippers, the 6-foot-3 UCLA — who had been eligible for a veteran conference extension — was flipped to Miami over the summer.
Across his first three regular season games with the Heat, the 32-year-old vet has been averaging an encouraging 24.0 points on .477/.500/.913 shooting splits, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per.
Jovic, 22, clearly holds enough promise for the Heat to want to commit big bucks to him in the future — even if his on-court output has been fairly modest thus far.
Through his first four games with Miami this year, Jovic has been averaging a career-best 11.3 points on .483/.421/.900 shooting splits, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.5 steals a night.
Tip-off between the 3-1 Heat and 4-0 Spurs is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET.
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