Josh Richardson returned to the Heat‘s lineup on Wednesday after missing three games with a heel injury, but left the loss early due to a groin injury. Now, he may be done for the season.
While an MRI on Richardson’s left groin injury didn’t reveal any damage, the young wing could miss the next two weeks, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. If that timeline is accurate, it would extend into the first round of the postseason. The Heat are currently fighting for their playoff lives and are no lock to make it, which means Richardson may not get a chance to play again until 2019/20.
Richardson, 25, has been a key contributor for the Heat this season, averaging team highs in PPG (16.6 PPG) and MPG (34.8) while playing strong perimeter defense. It will be an uphill battle for the ninth-seeded Heat to re-enter the playoff picture without him, though the team has plenty of backcourt and wing depth. Dwyane Wade, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, Rodney McGruder are among the players who could be leaned on more heavily with Richardson sidelined.
The Heat, who sit a half-game back of the Nets and Magic for the Nos. 7 and 8 spots in the East, will finish their season by playing at Minnesota, at Toronto, vs. Philadelphia, and at Brooklyn.
He’s been going downhill all season offensively compared to the first month. Hopefully he heals enough to get back at it next season.
Because they were forcing him to be a number 1 and he’s not… he’s a solid small forward though. An upper tier 3-D player. Think Andre Igudola.