Miami Heat Rookie Nikola Jovic Out At Least A Month

Jovic is dealing with back issues this season

The Miami Heat announced rookie Nikola Jovic will miss at least four weeks because of back issues.

Jovic was most recently with the Heat's G League affiliate in Sioux Falls. In 15 games this season, Jovic has averaged 5.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes.

INJURY UPDATE: Nikola Jovic (lower back stress reaction) will be sidelined for 4 weeks and then re-evaluated.

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2023

Jovic has had his ups and downs this season. At times, he's flourished but the Heat have also brought him along slowly. 

"Everything is important for him this year, really," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said recently. "When he's with us, it's important just to see how we operate, what expected from a workload standpoint, from a player development standpoint. Also, learning how to stay ready so you don't have to get ready and that your opportunities can happen at any time. We're not just going to play him 40-plus minutes. He has to earn those minutes and contribute to winning to be able to get more minutes." 

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