JUST IN: Heat Confirm Major Setback as Key Star Sidelined With Concerning Injury, Making It 4 Injured Stars

As the Miami Heat was settling into a stable rotation, new injury concerns have emerged ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, and Dru Smith did not travel with the team to Philadelphia due to injuries, while Kevin Love remains away for personal reasons.

Robinson (left sacroiliac joint dysfunction), Jovic (broken right hand), and Smith (left Achilles surgery) have been sidelined, but Wiggins’ injury is a recent development.

Wiggins stayed in Miami and will miss Saturday’s game with “right hamstring tendinopathy.” This comes after he played the last four games following an injury-plagued start with the Heat. Since being traded to Miami on Feb. 6 in the Jimmy Butler deal, he has missed eight of his first 23 games due to injuries or illness, including one game for a stomach illness, five for a sprained right ankle, and two for a left lower leg contusion. When healthy, Wiggins has been among Miami’s best players, averaging 19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in his first 15 starts with the team.

Robinson will miss his third consecutive game due to a back issue, which was initially described as “lower back pain” but is now listed as “left sacroiliac joint dysfunction.” His condition is concerning, as a back injury also affected him late last season, causing him to miss nine of Miami’s final 14 regular-season games due to “left facet syndrome.” When asked about Robinson’s current status, coach Erik Spoelstra said Tuesday, “He feels better today. I’m not going there mentally, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to either.”

The Heat has not ruled out Wiggins and/or Robinson rejoining the team during its three-game road trip, which continues Monday against the Washington Wizards and concludes Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.

Jovic has been out for 18 straight games with a broken right hand but was recently cleared to resume on-court activities. However, there is no set timeline for his return. Smith, meanwhile, is out for the remainder of the season after Achilles surgery in December.

Along with Wiggins, Robinson, Jovic, Smith, and Love, the Heat will also be without Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson, and Isaiah Stevens on Saturday, as all three remain in the G League. Alec Burks is listed as questionable due to lower back discomfort, having started the last two games in Robinson’s absence.

The 76ers will also be shorthanded, ruling out Jeff Dowtin Jr. (G League), Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Joel Embiid (left knee injury management), Paul George (left groin recovery), Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery), Kyle Lowry (right hip management), Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain), Jared McCain (left knee meniscus surgery), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (right knee sprain).

With only nine games left in the regular season, Miami holds the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference at 32-41. The Heat has won three straight games after ending a 10-game losing streak.