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 courtroom wincing in ache. Smith was escorted off the courtroom to the locker room.
This damage comes shortly after the two-way guard made an unimaginable restoration from a torn ACL simply over a yr 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 unimaginable deep respect for his journey and what he has to beat,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra stated after Monday’s recreation. “I’ve been within the constructing all these instances final yr when no one else was right here and he was doing all of the intensive remedy and rehab around the clock. He has unimaginable 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 yr in the past to the Warmth’s rotation now and was on cusp of a normal 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 via 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 might signal free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr.
Though Smith was taking part in effectively this season, it’s unlikely the Miami Warmth will provide him a normal deal due to the crew’s place towards the posh 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 could be signing free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr.
“I be considering the Spurs, Minnesota, and Miami clearly, and I say them three I might are available and have probably the most affect,” Smith Jr. stated 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 time, but when we went simply off what I used to be doing final yr, I believe I might are available and make an actual contribution, or the Lakers too.”
Terry Rozier was sidelined Monday with knee ache as effectively, however he might show to be an asset for the Warmth if he turns into a extra constant scorer. Spoelstra might 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 normal 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.
