{"id":517057,"date":"2026-01-05T00:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T00:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/517057\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T00:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T00:14:14","slug":"heat-guard-unlikely-to-play-vs-pelicans-despite-being-available-hot-hot-hoops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/517057\/","title":{"rendered":"Heat guard unlikely to play vs. Pelicans despite being available – Hot Hot Hoops"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MiamiMiami Heat guard Tyler Herro has only played in six games this season. (Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Less than two hours ahead of Sunday\u2019s contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) was upgraded to available.<\/p>\n

However, in a strange twist, the one-time All-Star still isn\u2019t expected to play, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald was among the first to report.<\/a><\/p>\n

Herro is available and will be in uniform, but he’s not expected to play today. This is part of his ramp up and a sign that he is getting closer. https:\/\/t.co\/3CGMRv6rpc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Herro, 25, was upgraded to questionable hours early Sunday morning, with the anticipation that he could be making his return. He had missed the last ten games with a toe injury.<\/p>\n

Herro has missed all but six of the Heat\u2019s first 35 games. He\u2019s averaging 23.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists, shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 40.5 percent from 3-point range.<\/p>\n

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters that the seventh-year guard is still \u201cday-to-day\u201d without an \u201cexact date\u201d for a possible return, per Chiang.<\/p>\n

Erik Spoelstra on Tyler Herro: “He’s still day to day and I don’t have an exact date when he’ll be ready.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Nikola Jovic (groin), Bam Adebayo (back) and Pelle Larsson (ankle) are all available, however. Jaime Jaquez Jr., who was limited to just 10 minutes with an ankle sprain the night prior, is out.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure I quite understand why he wouldn\u2019t be ruled out if he\u2019s not going to play. What\u2019s the upside of listing him as available, then?! This is quite a weird and confusing look optically.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates!<\/p>\n

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