Miami Heat star Tyler Hero (right-handed) has been eliminated from Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last Thursday: “I’m told Game 2 on Sunday looms as a potential for Tyler Hero.”
“He’ll have two more days here to test his broken right hand, which has now recovered.” However, the 2022 sixth man still had soreness and swelling in his shooting hand after drills. He has not yet been allowed to return.
According to a few NBA betting sites, the Denver Nuggets are the favorites to win the 2023 NBA Finals. The sports books show Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler with the second shortest odds of winning the Finals MVP award.
Coach Spo provides an update on the status of Tyler Herro pic.twitter.com/3MhheZkMe0
– Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 6, 2023
“He hasn’t been cleared yet, and that’s where we’re at now,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said. But the work he was doing encouraged us. …he’ll do a full-contact drill next. We’ll evaluate that. We’ll meet with the coaching staff, and we’ll just continue this process.”
Additionally, Herro underwent surgery on his right hand in April after diving for a loose ball in Miami’s first-round Game 1 win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 67 regular season starts, Herro averaged 20.1 points and career highs of 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 34.9 minutes per game. The fourth-year guard also shoots 43.9% from the field, 37.8% outside the arc, and has a career-best 93.4% at the foul line. He finished 18th in 3s with a 203 as well.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Hero (right handed) was ruled out of Wednesday night’s game in Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets
In Miami’s 111-108 win over the Houston Rockets on December 15, Tyler Hero scored a career-high 41 points in 40 minutes as a starter. Along with notching six boards, two assists, one steal, and one block, the fourth-year guard shot 13-of-20 (65%) from the floor and 10-of-15 (66.7%) out of the arc.
Furthermore, Herro became just the fourth Miami Heat player to hit 10 three-pointers in a single game, a record set by Duncan Robinson on December 10, 2019. The 13th overall pick of the 2019 draft joined Stephen Curry and James Harden as the only players. Players in NBA history have made at least nine three-pointers in consecutive games.
This past Wednesday, TNT sideline reporter Chris Hynes reported that Tyler Herro might return for Game 3. Of course, more time is needed. Victor Oladipo (knee) and Cody Zeller (foot) are the other Heat players in the injury report. Oladipo is out for the rest of the season, while Zeller is a prospect.
Tyler Herro (hand) was again listed in Heat for Wednesday’s Game 3 vs. Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Oladipo (knee) is also out. Zeller (ft.) Possible. Adebayo (shoulder) and Vincent (ankle) are available.
– Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 6, 2023
Furthermore, ESPN’s Ros Gold-Onwude provided another update. “I spoke with Tyler Herro before the Game 2 routine before the game started and he told me that he has pain and swelling in his right hand after shooting and can feel the pain when he does a ‘follow through’ shooting motion.
“He also shared his thought of not wanting to come back and spoil the team’s rhythm. While there was hope for him to return for Game 2 because he is involved in all aspects of the team’s training, he makes sure the time is right for him to return to the field.”
Going into Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals, the sportsbooks show the Heat as a two-point underdog at home against Denver. According to ESPN’s Basketball Strength Index, the Nuggets have a 66.7% chance of winning away.