Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic was seen in a walking boot and using a scooter after arriving in Belgrade, Serbia, raising concerns. However, this appears to be a precautionary measure for a minor injury sustained during his last training session in Miami, as reported by Serbian outlet Meridian Sport and noted by Eurohoops.net’s Johnny Askounis. Despite the setback, Jovic is expected to resume team practices the following Monday, in line with the NBA and FIBA’s agreement on international players.
Jovic, a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has expanded his role with the Heat significantly in his second season. The 21-year-old played in 46 games, starting in 38 of them. He averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 45.2% from the field and an impressive 39.9% from three-point range. His performance in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics was notable, where he started all five games, averaging 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with a 40.9% shooting rate from beyond the arc.
This season was a substantial improvement from his rookie year, where Jovic saw limited action, appearing in only 15 games. During that time, he averaged 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 40.6% from the field. He also spent part of the season in the G League to further develop his skills.
Na aerodromu u Beogradu viđen je naš košarkaš Nikola Jović, koji je na levoj nozi imao ortopedsku čizmu. pic.twitter.com/iDdJUvp1Nh
— Sportal.rs (@SportalSrbija) June 13, 2024
Despite his current injury, Jovic intends to play for Serbia in the upcoming Olympics. He is expected to be part of Serbia’s final squad under coach Svetislav Pesic, who has already begun preparations for the Games. Playing internationally should further aid Jovic’s development as he heads into his third NBA season.
The Heat are hopeful Jovic can build on his second-season success, especially with potential roster changes on the horizon. Key players such as Josh Richardson, Kevin Love, and Caleb Martin have player options for the 2024-25 season and could opt for free agency. Jovic’s progress and availability will be crucial for the Heat, who may rely on him more significantly if other players depart.
Jovic aims to recover quickly from his injury and resume training for the Olympics, which will be vital for his continued development and readiness for the next NBA season.
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