Tyler Herro ruled out for Miami Heat ahead of Finals Game 2

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Five — BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 25: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat sits on the bench in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

No, former Kentucky standout Tyler Herro will not be making his postseason debut for the Miami Heat in tonight’s Game 2 matchup against Denver in the NBA Finals. ESPN previously reported that he could return Sunday evening against the Nuggets after sitting out since April 16 with a broken hand.

Instead, that will have to wait until Game 3 back in Miami at the earliest, as Herro has been ruled out tonight.

The Heat previously listed the former Wildcat as out on Saturday, but changes are allowed to the injury report on game days. When it came time for a final yes/no decision from the team Sunday afternoon, the report was left unchanged, keeping Herro out at least one more game as his team fights for an NBA championship.

#DENvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Caleb Martin (illness) will be available to play in tonight’s #NBAFinals Game 2 vs the Nuggets.

Tyler Herro (hand) has been ruled out.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 4, 2023

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported ahead of Game 1 — a 104-93 Denver win — he was trending toward a return for Game 2. If not, though, the expectation was that he would return to the floor on Wednesday for Game 3.

“I’m told that Game 2 on Sunday looms as a possibility for Tyler Herro,” Wojnarowski said Friday. “He’ll have a couple more days here to test out that fractured right hand that has now healed. He’s on the court working out. Can that hand take contact?

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“Sunday, Game 2 is something he will test it out for. But if not Sunday, then Game 3 on Wednesday back in Miami, I think barring a setback, there’s confidence Tyler Herro will be ready to return then.”

Herro went through his normal warmup routine ahead of Game 2, knocking down jumpers without restriction.

Tyler Herro is going through his normal warmup, but will not play tonight in Game 2 of the #nbafinals. Herro broke his right hand vs. Bucks and is coming off of surgery. The hope is he can play in Game 3. He looks good here! #nba #heatculture #nbaplayoffs pic.twitter.com/Oq8edgi466
— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) June 4, 2023

After winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021-22, Herro was elevated into the starting lineup for the ’22-23 season. Through 67 games for the Heat, the 6-foot-5 sharpshooter averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 34.9 minutes per game while shooting 43.9 percent overall, 37.8 percent from deep, and a league-leading 93.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The Heat needs his production back sooner rather than later. Luckily for them, it appears the wait is almost over.