MIAMI — The Miami Heat will be without veteran power forward P.J. Tucker for the final two games of the regular season and potentially longer.
An MRI revealed a calf strain that the team said will have Tucker sidelined for at least a week. The Heat close out the regular season with games Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks at FTX Arena and Sunday on the road against the Orlando Magic. The playoffs then begin the weekend of April 16-17.
Tucker, 36, has been a staple of the Heat starting lineup, starting in 70 of his 71 appearances. Signed in the offseason to a two-year contract that includes a player option for next season, the 6-foot-5 veteran has helped space the floor with his corner 3-pointers and anchor the defense with his ability to defend opposing power forwards, as well as perimeter scorers.
In the absence of Tucker, the Heat options at the position include Caleb Martin and Markieff Morris, who had fallen out of the rotation after returning from a 58-game absence due to whiplash. Morris started in place of Tucker in Sunday night’s road victory over the Toronto Raptors, when Tucker was given the night off. Martin started that game in place of Jimmy Butler, who also was given that night off.
Tucker was injured during the third-quarter of Tuesday night’s victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets, limping to the locker room.
Assistant Chris Quinn, who has been filling in while coach Erik Spoelstra has been sidelined due to NBA health and safety protocols, said getting Tucker healthy is the priority.
“Obviously the big picture with Tuck and his health, him a big part of what we do defensively, especially,” Quinn said, “but also offensively him being so selfless, he’s always playing for the team. He doesn’t always care about how many shots he’s getting, which is a big factor on our team.
“So obviously we’ll miss him these last couple of games, but going forward it’s more important that he get healthy.”
The decision on a replacement could come down to whether the Heat seek the speed that Martin can offer or the physicality and toughness of Morris.
“It’s what we’ve dealt with a lot of the season, guys in and out,” Quinn said, “and people asked to play different roles, depending on the game and the week. Caleb obviously brings more speed. He’s had a great year, really proved himself. And then ‘Keif brings another veteran presence, physicality, size.
“So both of those guys have done well when they’ve gotten opportunities to play. And we’ll continue to rely on them without Tuck.”
Also missing from Thursday’s practice was rookie center Omer Yurtseven, due to illness. The team said Yurtseven was tested for COVID-19, with those results coming back negative.
Of filling in for Spoelstra for a fifth consecutive day, including coaching the team to victories over the Raptors and Hornets, Quinn said Thursday, “Like anything else, the more you do something, the more comfortable you get.”
Play-in schedule
The NBA has announced the scheduling for the play-in tournament, scheduling that likely will leave the Heat with a considerable wait before learning their first-round playoff opponent.
The NBA announced that the East No. 7 seed from the regular season will host the No. 8 seed on Tuesday, with the winner securing the No. 7 seed and facing the No. 2 seed.
The No. 9 seed will host the No. 10 seed on Wednesday, with the winner of that game playing Friday at the loser of game between Nos. 7-8, to determine the No. 8 seed and right to face the No. 1 seed.
The timing almost assures that the Heat’s playoff opener at FTX Arena will be April 17.
