The Heat have shocked the basketball world this postseason, becoming the sixth No. 8 seed to take down a No. 1 seed and keeping that momentum going all the way to the NBA Finals.
Despite losing star guard Tyler Herro in Game 1 of their first-round series, Miami was able to overcome the absence of its third-leading scorer to send Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, and Jalen Brunson and the Knicks home early. Miami continued its impressive run, taking down the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Will Herro be available for the Heat against the Nuggets in the NBA Finals? The Sporting News has the latest updates below.
MORE: The most important stats to know heading into Game 5 of NBA Finals
What is Tyler Herro's injury?
Herro suffered a right hand injury when he was diving for a loose ball in the second quarter of Game 1 between the Heat and Bucks in the first round.
Tyler Herro broke his right hand on this play in the 2nd quarter.
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 16, 2023
He will not return. pic.twitter.com/4uAQxVcJN8
He played the remainder of the half, but he ran into the locker room as soon as the buzzer sounded. Just before the second half resumed, the Heat announced that Herro broke his right hand.
#MIAvsMIL INJURY UPDATE: Tyler Herro (broken right hand) will not return to tonight’s game vs the Bucks.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 16, 2023
How long will Tyler Herro be out?
The Heat's official injury report lists Herro as questionable to make his return in Game 5.
#MIAvsDEN INJURY UPDATE: Tyler Herro (hand) is listed as questionable to play in tonight's #NBAFinals Game 5 vs the Nuggets.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 12, 2023
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Herro is "expected to suit up for Game 5 and attempt a return tonight."
This is the first time since the injury that Herro has been listed as anything other than "out," so it should come as no surprise that Miami believes he's ready to give it a go.
There was a report from Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes that suggested Herro was targeting a return in Game 3 when the series shifted to Miami, but it appeared the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year was not ready to return.
At the time of the injury, Haynes reported the star guard would be out for "approximately 4-6 weeks" with a broken middle finger and ring finger on his shooting hand.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro broke the middle and ring finger on his shooting hand and is expected to be out approximately 4-6 weeks, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 17, 2023
It has been nearly eight weeks since Herro's surgery, meaning he has been behind schedule.
Heat vs. Nuggets NBA Finals series schedule
Here is the full schedule for the 2023 NBA Finals:
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Matchup | Time | National TV |
| June 1 | Game 1 | at Denver | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 4 | Game 2 | at Denver | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| June 7 | Game 3 | at Miami | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 9 | Game 4 | at Miami | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 12 | Game 5 | at Denver | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 15 | Game 6* | at Miami | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 18 | Game 7* | at Denver | 8 p.m. | ABC |
