Heat forward Nikola Jovic suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal of his right hand, the Heat’s PR department tweets. He will be in a splint and re-evaluated in four weeks.
This confirms the initial diagnosis that the team reported but provides a better understanding of his recovery timetable. It also determines that surgery, at least at this time, will not be required.
With less than two months remaining before the postseason, Jovic’s injury could be a season-ender.
Jovic suffered it during the first half against the Bucks on Sunday. Through 46 games, he’s averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. The 21-year-old is logging shooting splits of .456/.371/.828.
Ahead of the season, Miami picked up Jovic’s $4.45MM team option for the fourth and final year of his rookie-scale deal, which will keep him under team control through 2025/26.
Kyle Anderson and Jaime Jaquez are expected to have bigger roles with Jovic sidelined.