Terry Rozier suffered a serious knee injury during an intense clash between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The Heat lost the match by a 4-point margin to the Celtics. Miami’s veteran point guard Rozier landed awkwardly during the game and immediately gripped his knee. He was unable to shoot free throws after the event. Miami is still awaiting the results of an MRI. These results will have a huge impact on the rest of the Heat’s season. When Pat Riley traded for Rozier, he moved Kyle Lowry in the opposite direction. Rozier is younger, more explosive, and has a history of scoring in bunches. He was starting to develop synergy with Tyler Herro.
Erik Spoelstra’s club has struggled this season. Their summer chase of Damian Lillard prevented the front office from upgrading the playing roster. The goal was to sign a superstar to play with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. That pursuit did not pay off. Rozier’s midseason acquisition was anticipated to help bridge the talent gap. If Rozier is ruled out for the rest of the season, it’s difficult to see Miami as a legitimate playoff contender. There is simply too much skill in the Eastern Conference. Spoelstra’s coaching can only get the team so far. Miami requires Rozier’s scoring, playmaking, and abrasive play style if they are to make an immediate return to the NBA Finals.
Miami will also suffer from the absence of Lowry as a potential backup guard. They do not currently have a true backup ballhandler. The Heat’s loss of Gabe Vincent to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer remains a source of concern.
Miami will undoubtedly be hoping Rozier’s injury isn’t serious. They need the 29-year-old American to return to the playing squad as soon as possible. Not only does he have the potential to help the franchise in the playoffs, but they also need him to continue adjusting to Miami’s system and his new teammates. Miami should provide an update very soon. Then the fans will have a better notion of how the rest of the season will proceed.
Miami Heat’s other shooting guard Josh Richardson also sustained an injury on Sunday night and is expected to have an MRI today. More than anything, you just feel for those guys, Heat coach Spoelstra said. They’re competitors, they want to be out there. They’re trending in a much better direction. Josh and Terry are making a great impact on both ends of the floor, Spoelstra concluded.
