BOCA RATON — In a sports market now dealing with the season-ending knee surgery for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the scene Wednesday at the Miami Heat’s training camp at Florida Atlantic University was nearly equally as sobering.

In addition to Heat guard Tyler Herro remaining off to the side following last month’s ankle surgery, Florida Panthers All-Star center Aleksander Barkov was taking in the session on crutches, after recent knee surgery of his own.

Barkov was a guest of Dr. Derick Anderson, who handles sports psychology for both the Heat and Panthers.

To Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, the presence of Barkov was a reminder of both championship excellence, and the injury uncertainty of sports.

“Dr. Anderson, who works for the Panthers, works with us, brought him to the arena last year, during a weekend in September, and we all were able to bring our families and our kids and everybody in the organization came out, we were able to hold the Stanley Cup,” Spoelstra said, before pausing to smile. “It was one of the few times it wasn’t in an ocean or at a party.

“And he’s so inspiring. I love for all the guys to see him over there. It’s been an electrifying run that they’ve had the last three seasons, and he’s a major part of it.”

Spoelstra then went on about Barkov being special beyond lifting the Panthers to the past three Stanley Cup Finals and the past two NHL championships, offering a comparison to Heat center Bam Adebayo.

“Yes, he has the talent,” Spoelstra said of Barkov. “But then when you start diving into what everybody says about his character, his leadership, his mentorship, he’s about all the right things. But he moves a locker room, because of what he’s about. That’s real talent. And I see those kind of possibilities with Bam.

“And it is heartbreaking to see him on crutches. But then you talk to him and he’s saying, ‘No worries, I’ll be back in five or six months,’ I love that spirit.

“I love that guy. I love everything he’s about.”

Rozier sidelined

Amid his bid to return to the rotation after last season’s massive drop-off, guard Terry Rozier was sidelined from Wednesday’s second day of training camp due to a strained left hamstring, an injury sustained while running post-practice sprints with teammate Keshad Johnson after Tuesday’s opening camp session.

“Everything went well, practice went good. I made it through the practice. And then we were running sixes (the length of the court) at the end and I was trying to sprint and catch KJ, because he was in first, and then light strain.

“It’s Keshad’s fault, for sure, for running so fast.”

The ailment likely will have Rozier out the final two days of camp and Saturday’s start of the preseason against the Orlando Magic in Puerto Rico.

“It’s super frustrating,” he said. “But it’s a long season. Like I’m in year 11, I’m not going to beat myself up about possibly missing the first preseason of the year.

“Obviously I do want to get back out on the court with my guys. But I’m trusting the medical staff and I know they’re going to get me right.”

Rozier participated in shooting drills following practice and said if it were up to him he would have attempted to enter practice Wednesday.

“It won’t keep me out for too long,” he said. “I think I should be back on the court by next week, hopefully.

“It’s part of basketball. It’s part of the whole journey.”

Dragic help

Former Heat guard Goran Dragic was on the court with the Heat at the start of camp, before returning Wednesday to Europe.

Included in Dragic’s mentorship has been time helping first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis adjust, including the international adjustment, with Dragic from Slovenia and Jakucionis from Lithuania.

“He’s been coming around more often,” Spoelstra said of Dragic. “I tried to recruit him to the coaching staff, and wisely he said no. But he said he does want to help, he does want to be involved.

“So we’re just working with him right now to find out what the best fit will be. We’re both open to the possibilities. I just like having him around, He’s not just exclusively working with Kas.

“I think he just naturally fits a mentorship role. But he can also add value to scouting and in other areas. I think we’ll be able to make hopefully something work for both sides.”

Originally Published: October 1, 2025 at 2:18 PM EDT