Heat offer no timetable with sidelined Lowry; Yurtseven’s next step likely in G League
The resumption of the Miami Heat’s schedule from their eight-day All-Star break does not mean complete resolution when it comes to injury uncertainty.
With the team back at practice Thursday for the first time in a week, coach Erik Spoelstra indicated that point guard Kyle Lowry will remain sidelined indefinitely due to knee pain, and also said that the rehab of Omer Yurtseven from November ankle surgery next likely we continue with the team’s G League affiliate before the second-year center makes his season debut.
That doesn’t mean there also wasn’t reason for optimism as the Heat prepare to resume their schedule with a Friday night game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the start of a three-game trip.
Guards Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, who both missed time prior to the All-Star break, both said Thursday they are poised for their returns. Both went through full contact during Thursday’s practice at Miami-Dade Arena.
The Heat injury report for Friday night lists only Lowry, Yurtseven and rookie big man Nikola Jovic, who remains sidelined with a back issue.
The Lowry situation remains muddled, having missed the last six games with what has been listed as “left knee soreness,” out of action since appearing in the Feb. 2 road loss to the New York Knicks.
“He’s making progress,” Spoelstra said. “I do not have a specific timeline. But he had a good week, and we’ll keep on progressing.
“He’s working and making sure that he’s healthy. That’s the most important thing as we move forward. He’s been able to grind through a lot of different pain and discomfort, because he’s tough and he’s a competitor. We want to get him feeling right and getting him the way he’s capable of moving.”
Lowry left practice without comment, despite several media requests.
With Yurtseven, there is a more definitive approach, but one that seemingly will have him sidelined well into March.
“He’s getting close,” Spoelstra said. “He did all the non-contact today. He’s doing some two-on-two. We’ll get him ready the next week or so, and then we’ll take that next step, which will be more live, competitive five-on-five, and we’ll probably have to do that in Sioux Falls.”
As in the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Yurtseven said he is good with the approach.
“It’s going to be in South Dakota, play at Sioux Falls for a bit, and then feel good and move on, step by step,” he said. “It’s been great. Step by step, it’s been just gradual and no setbacks.”
The gradual approach with Yurtseven provides clarity to the Heat’s decision to add a pair of veteran big men, in Kevin Love and Cody Zeller, to fill their two previously vacant roster spots.
“I think depth doesn’t hurt,” Yurtseven said of the added competition at his position, “and I’m sure they’re building a team for the playoffs.”
Herro had missed the two games before the All-Star break due to a knee bruise, which he said no longer is an issue.
“I’m great, I’m great,” he said, “The time off helped a lot.”
Then there is Oladipo, who missed the seven games prior to the All-Star break with a sprained right ankle.
“I’m feeling really good right now, feeling better,” he said.
With the Heat operating for the first time this season with the maximum allowable 17 players under contract (including the team’s two two-way contracts of Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain), it led to a sense of a full house Thursday.
“It was a unique day, because we got to have a Hunger Games practice,” Spoelstra said of the full-contact session, “but also had a real quick meeting before starting practicing, and we had all the seats filled for the first time really since probably training camp.”
Already, Spoelstra said, it became apparent that Love and Zeller could help.
“Both these guys give us qualities at positions of need,” he said. “So I think the fit just naturally works.
“Yeah, I felt a boost today in the gym. Now we have some real depth all over the place.”
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