Heat starting guard to miss 'at least another week'

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Heat's chances suffer major blow as starting guard will miss 'at least another week'

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/20/24

Terry Rozier missed both of the Miami Heat's games in the play-in tournament. Erik Spoelstra's team managed to secure a spot in the 2024 playoffs despite their starting guard's absence. They will now face the Boston Celtics in a repeat of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

However, the Heat will likely be without Rozier for the opening two games. He is dealing with neck spasms. Miami is also missing Jimmy Butler, who is suffering from an MCL sprain. Josh Richardson is also sidelined due to injury.

"In addition to the Heat being without Jimmy Butler for “several weeks” according to the team, due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, an NBA source confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that guard Terry Rozier will miss at least another week due to what team is listing is neck spasms," Ira Winderman reported. "According to such a timetable, the earliest Rozier could return would be next Saturday’s Game 3 against the Celtics at Kaseya Center."

Heat's Terry Rozier expected to miss at least first two games against Celtics; Duncan Robinson questionable for Sunday. https://t.co/likFWCG6jo From earlier.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 20, 2024

Without Rozier and Butler, the Heat will struggle to find consistent on-ball creation. Tyler Herro will be forced to step into a significant role, potentially operating as the primary option on offense. Bam Adebayo will also create more in the half court, specifically through dribble hand-offs and screening actions.

The Celtics are arguably the deepest team in the NBA. They have six players capable of making an All-Star team. Every player missing from Miami's rotation is a hammer blow to the team's chances of progressing out of the first round.

The Celtics are championship favorites for a reason. They've earned that label and have been remorseless in decimating teams throughout the regular season. Rozier's absence will hurt the Heat. The sooner he can rejoin the rotation, the sooner Miami can be seen as potentially a legitimate threat to the Celtics' chances of winning the 2024 NBA championship.

More must-reads: