Miami Warmth reserve guard Dru Smith suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon throughout Monday’s 110-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, sources knowledgeable ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.
Miami Warmth backup guard Dru Smith has an intensive historical past of knee accidents throughout his three-year profession
As Smith dribbled close to the 3-point arc throughout a possession early within the second quarter, he misplaced the ball on a turnover and instantly fell to the court docket wincing in ache. Smith was escorted off the court docket to the locker room.
This damage comes shortly after the two-way guard made an unbelievable restoration from a torn ACL simply over a 12 months in the past. His 2021-22 season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, additionally ended early resulting from a knee damage.
“We’ve got unbelievable deep respect for his journey and what he has to beat,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned after Monday’s recreation. “I’ve been within the constructing all these instances final 12 months when no one else was right here and he was doing all of the in depth therapy and rehab around the clock. He has unbelievable fortitude. You find yourself completely rooting for guys like Dru.”
Miami Warmth guard Dru Smith has suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, sources advised ESPN. Completely devastating after the two-way guard made an amazing restoration from a torn ACL simply over a 12 months in the past to the Warmth’s rotation now and was on cusp of a typical NBA contract. pic.twitter.com/gD7gtWG14b
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 24, 2024
Smith, who turns 27 on Monday, was averaging profession highs of 6.3 factors, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 19.1 minutes per recreation by 14 contests (one begin) this season.
In Miami’s 121-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on Dec. 21, he recorded a season-high 14 factors on 4-of-8 (50%) capturing from the ground, 2-of-4 (50%) from 3-point vary, and 4-of-5 (80%) on the foul line.
Miami may signal free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr.
Though Smith was enjoying properly this season, it’s unlikely the Miami Warmth will supply him a typical deal due to the crew’s place in opposition to the luxurious tax. The Missouri product has been waived and re-signed by the Warmth 4 instances in his three-year profession.
One potential roster transfer for Miami can be signing free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr.
“I be pondering the Spurs, Minnesota, and Miami clearly, and I say them three I may are available in and have probably the most affect,” Smith Jr. mentioned on “The OGs” YouTube podcast with retired Warmth legends Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller.
“Not even on all of the work I’ve been placing in all summer season, but when we went simply off what I used to be doing final 12 months, I believe I may are available in and make an actual contribution, or the Lakers too.”
Terry Rozier was sidelined Monday with knee ache as properly, however he may show to be an asset for the Warmth if he turns into a extra constant scorer. Spoelstra may additionally flip to Isaiah Stevens, who was referred to as up on a two-way deal from the Skyforce.
In associated information, the Warmth are changing ahead Keshad Johnson’s two-way deal into a typical two-year NBA contract, sources advised Charania. Johnson has spent the season as a standout participant for Sioux Falls, averaging 21.2 factors and eight.3 rebounds per recreation.
