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Heat Injury Update: Will Jaime Jaquez Jr. Play Tonight vs Knicks After Missing 6 Previous Games?

Published 01/27/2024, 9:49 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Miami Heat has been struggling lately even though they are currently leading the Southeast Division. In their most recent games, they have lost five straight. The Heat are scheduled to visit Madison Square Garden tonight to play the New York Knicks who defeated the Heat 100-98 at their first meeting. Miami will look to end a losing streak while also trying to redeem a victory.

Despite having a healthy roster, the Heat was without their rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. for the last six games, and his absence was greatly felt on the offensive end. However, the young player is finally set to make a comeback tonight.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. will return tonight

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For starters, Jaime’s name has been removed from the Heat’s injury list and the latest updates show that he will be available for the game. The 22-year-old had suffered a groin injury on 14th January. Before the injury, he had appeared in all of the Heat’s 39 games. In his rookie season so far, Jaime has accumulated averages of 14 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He scored a season-high 31 points on Christmas Day against the Sixers.

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Along with Jaime, big man Kevin Love is also set to make his big return tonight. He left Wednesday’s game against the Grizzlies with just five minutes of action due to an illness. The only other name on the Heat’s injury list is Dru Smith, who will unfortunately miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Apart from this, the rest of the Miami players are healthy and ready to make some noise tonight.

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The Heat’s projected starting lineup for tonight

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Miami will more than likely use the same starters they put up against the Celtics on Thursday. That means we can expect Terry Rozier (PG), Tyler Herro (SG), Jimmy Butler (SF), Haywood Highsmith (PF), and Bam Adebayo at the center. The team has struggled with injuries in the first half of the season. This was when Jaime stepped in and essentially helped keep the team afloat and provided stability as the starter.

The Heat are going up against the Knicks who rank second in the league in defensive points this season. Miami struggles in this area, as was evident by their loss to the Celtics on Thursday. They were able to provide Boston with 63.8% field goal shooting and an additional 55% from beyond the arc. Despite this, we can expect to see an improvement in the Heat’s offense tonight as Jaime makes his return.

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Do you think the Heat will be able to finally pocket a win against the Knicks tonight? Is Jaime’s comeback going to make any difference? Share your thoughts!

 

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Written by:

Tsuktibenla T Jamir

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Tsuktibenla T Jamir is an NBA author at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Masters in Journalism from the prestigious Delhi School of Journalism, this Nagaland native combines her academic prowess with her passion for the game to craft compelling narratives that bring the NBA to life. She finds immense joy in dissecting the journeys of the athletes who make the game larger than life.
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Edited by:

Ruth John