Why this Heat wing is taking steps in right direction amid struggles - Hot Hot Hoops

Nikola Jovic’s season is off to an uneven start, but he’s stepped up in each of the last two games for the Miami Heat. (Mandatory Credit: Nate Bilings, AP Photo)

Less than 48 hours ago, Miami Heat wing Nikola Jovic was about to make his return against the Atlanta Hawks, 11 days after what originally appeared to be a very scary elbow injury. He

He missed only four games. But the Heat needed extra juice while they were down both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Enters Jovic, who’s had a very uneven season to date, hoping to take advantage of another opportunity thrown his way.

And that’s exactly what he did, albeit against two flimsy defenses in the Hawks and Pacers. But what should be taken away is his overall impact — and how it could be an encouraging momentum builder moving forward.

Why Nikola Jovic’s last two games were steps in right direction:

Jovic, 22, missed 10 of his first 11 shots against Atlanta. But he still finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 21 minutes off the bench. It was a bad shooting night — but he more than made up for it with his rebounding (box outs, tip outs!), decision-making and defense.

He followed that up with one of his best games to date against the Indiana Pacers. Jovic had 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He finished the game with a pair of self-created buckets — an area of struggle — including a step-back 3-pointer with less than five minutes left.

“People forget how young he still is. He’s still got so much to grow and learn,” Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. told reporters after Saturday’s game. “He brings a whole new dynamic to our team that really fits so well with us and how this team wants to play.”

“People forget how young he still is. He’s still got so much to grow and learn. … He brings a whole new dynamic to our team that really fits so well with us and how this team wants to play.”

— Jaime Jaquez on Nikola Jovic

(h/t @HeatCulture13)pic.twitter.com/u5FkDpAbrO

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) December 28, 2025

For the season, Jovic is averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He’s shooting a career-low 38.4 percent from the floor, 28.4 percent from 3-point range and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line.

For the fourth-year forward, it’s about stacking productive games together. We’ve seen what he’s capable of doing as a dynamic playmaker and 3-point shooter. But he hasn’t been able to find any sort of consistency this season.

“We all know what he can do and what he’s capable of,” Heat forward Andrew Wiggins said. “Tonight shows it. He’s 6-foot-10 that can play any position — very talented.”

Saturday’s 26-point win over the Pacers marked his third game with north of 10 points this season. He had 24 such games last year after just 11 in 2023-24.

But the most important part of Jovic’s development is impacting the game when shots aren’t falling, something that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has drilled into him. And he’s able to consistently do that, the back-end of the Heat’s rotation will be stronger than it already was.

“I think this was a good step for [Nikola Jovic] to contribute and impact the game without making shots,” Spoelstra said after his 10-point performance against the Hawks. “You didn’t see the body language stuff when he misses open 3s, or misses open layups or there’s a turnover.

“He just got onto the next play. He tried to help contribute to the next play. He did some very good things. When he gets in a better rhythm, I have no doubt the shooting will be better.”

Coach Spo says tonight was a good step for Nikola Jovic

“I think this was a good step for him to contribute and impact the game without making shots. You didn’t see the body language stuff when he misses open 3s or layups/turnovers. He got onto the next play. He did some very… pic.twitter.com/HL6OAPyGd0

Why this Heat wing is taking steps in right direction amid struggles – Hot Hot Hoops

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