By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky
Miami Heat snaps their losing skid with a 110-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, improving their record to 14-13 on the season.
However, the team lost a big piece of its nucleus. Dru Smith went down with a potential season-ending left leg injury. Smith knew immediately he was severely hurt.
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Nikola Jovic and Alec Burks had to help him get off the court.
Smith worked his tail off after being cut four times. He was working his way to becoming a sixth man. For him to get injured in last night’s game is devastating.
Smith was finding his way in the league. Smith is a two-way player. It’s heartbreaking. Miami is going to miss his toughness, defensive tenacity, and improved jump shot. It’s a bit of a loss for Miami. He’s the glue guy for that team.
“The air went out of the building,” Erik Spoelstra said. “Seeing him fall like that, it wasn’t a contact injury. I don’t know the extent fully right now. I don’t want to pontificate until we get the MRI.”
Tyler Herro almost had a triple-double in this game. He finished with Herro 17 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Herro shared his thoughts on Smith and felt terrible about his injury and also how well he was performing for the team.
“We commend Dru for the work he’s put in,” Herro said. “Not just this season and I feel like it’s been like the last week and a half two weeks he’s been playing well, but all the work he’s put in to come back from the knee injury last year and where he’s at or where he was at before tonight. It’s just unfortunate to see him go down. He’s one of my favorite teammates, one of my favorite players to play with, so it’s just heartbreaking and unfortunate.”
Miami Heat are now 7-0 in their Blood Red Jerseys.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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