{"id":613187,"date":"2026-02-20T07:12:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613187\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T07:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:12:26","slug":"tyler-herro-likely-to-return-after-missing-15-games-with-ribs-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/613187\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyler Herro likely to return after missing 15 games with ribs injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

MIAMI \u2013 As Miami Heat star Tyler Herro returned to practice<\/a> on Thursday after missing the last 15 games with a ribs injury, his status for Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks has likely been revealed. With rumors speculating when the Heat guard in Herro will return<\/a>, it looks like the answer has been solved by the injury report.<\/p>\n

Miami is listing Herro as \u201cprobable\u201d<\/a> for Friday’s game as the team travels to take on the Hawks, marking a significant point in time for the guard who’s missed not just the last 15 games with the injury, but has been absent for 45 games this year.<\/p>\n

He would miss the first 17 games of the season due to an offseason ankle injury, then 13 outings with a toe contusion, and with the injury that was listed as \u201cRight Costochondral; Injury to the Ribs.\u201d In terms of his role with the team in his first game since Jan. 15, he was asked Thursday afternoon if he’ll come off the bench, which is how he returned from the toe contusion on Jan. 6, but then started after that contest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know, we’ll see what happens<\/a> if I’m able to play tomorrow. Whatever minutes I get, I’m just happy to be out here again, playing with my teammates and playing a game I love ultimately,\u201d Herro said.<\/p>\n

Tyler Herro speaks after returning to practice (was a full-go) after missing the last 15 games with a ribs injury. Will travel with team, but not certain if he\u2019ll play tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Spoke about the recovery, his frustrating season, Norman Powell<\/a> being an All-Star, etc. #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FX13kYtkCE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Herro would say to ClutchPoints that he fractured three ribs, and while he played three games off Torodol shots, to manage the pain, he wasn’t going to play the entire season like that, leading to the absence.<\/p>\n

In the 11 games he’s played, Herro has averaged 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra<\/a> on Tyler Herro coming back to the rotation\"MiamiJim Rassol-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While the Heat are coming off the All-Star break<\/a>, the team is still looking for a level of consistency, as injuries have been one issue plaguing the team, like with Herro’s continued absence. Whatever role he’s in when Herro comes back, there’s no denying the offensive impact he brings with head coach Erik Spoelstra saying how \u201cencouraging\u201d<\/a> it was to see the guard back at practice at full go.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it was very encouraging to have Tyler here in practice. You know, he had done everything he needed to do in the last few weeks to prepare for this. And it’s encouraging to have him back in the mix. We’re all excited about it,\u201d Spoelstra said.<\/p>\n

Erik Spoelstra speaks about Tyler Herro returning to practice and how \u201cencouraging\u201d it was to see him gel with the team. <\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t commit to him playing tomorrow as Herro echoed earlier. #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3f1kwQ37we<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With 26 games left in the season, Spoelstra will look to find ways to get the best out of Herro, especially alongside Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo<\/a>, as the trio has only played together in eight games this season. While that means less playing time for any player on the roster, Spoelstra would say there are \u201clevels of sacrifice\u201d<\/a> that need to be made.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet’s not forget, Tyler’s a talent,\u201d Spoelstra said. \u201cWe need to maximize our rotations, we need our talent out there; we’ll have to put it together fast. We know what our identity is on both sides of the floor; our guys have the buy-in to what we’re trying to do. There will be some levels of sacrifice throughout the rotation. It has to be that way if all the guys are available.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik Spoelstra speaks on having to utilize different lineups with Tyler Herro coming back into the fold: #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WJ3kkC7gWF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

At any rate, Miami is 29-27, putting them eighth in the Eastern Conference as Herro looks to officially return on Friday in Atlanta.<\/p>\n