Miami Heat's Nikola Jovic Likely To Miss Paris Olympics Due To Ankle Injury

The Serbian star showed up at the national team's training camp wearing an orthopedic boot on his leg. Nikola Jovic is still not fully healed from an ankle joint injury he allegedly sustained in June.

Apr 27, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic will likely miss the Olympic Games in Paris later this month.

The Heat organization can only hope Jovic does not miss any time during training camp or the NBA regular season.

Jovic appeared at the Serbian training camp wearing an orthopedic boot on his foot. The possibility of missing the Olympics was first reported by EuroHoops.net. They are reporting he fractured an ankle joint in June.

Jovic remained at home while the national team traveled to Paris for a Friday exhibition game with host France. Serbia won 79-67.

Jovic is also expected to miss upcoming exhibition games next week against the United States and Australia in Abu Dhabi. He was expected to start in the front court for Serbia along with Nikola Jokic.

Jovic averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 46 regular season games. He played in only four of the first 30 contests for the Heat to start the season. He eventually became the starter at power forward.

"It means a lot," Jovic said during the season of being named a starter in only his second NBA season. "I'm happy they gave me me a chance. I worked hard for it."

The 6-foot-10 Jovic also averaged 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Heat lost the series in five games.

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at scottsalomon67@gmail.com.

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