Miami Heat Guard Drew Smith Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon.
During this time he got hurt Monday’s victory against Brooklyn Nets. When Smith dribbled during a possession early in the second quarter, he lost the ball on a turnover and immediately fell to the court in pain.
Smith was escorted from the court to the locker room.
The injury, which required surgery and months of rehabilitation, is devastating after the two-way guard made a tremendous recovery from a torn ACL in the Heat’s rotation a year ago and was close to a standard NBA contract.
Smith also saw his 2021-22 season in the G League with Miami’s Sioux Falls affiliate cut short by a knee injury.
“We have an incredibly deep respect for his journey and what he’s overcome,” coach Erik Spoelstra said after Monday’s game. “I’ve been in the building all these hours last year when no one else was here and he was doing extensive round-the-clock treatment and rehabilitation. He has incredible strength.
Smith, who turns 27 on Monday, averaged career highs of 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game this season. He has been waived and re-signed by the Heat four times in his three-year career.
The heat is moving both ways. Keshad Johnson On a standard two-year NBA contract, sources told ESPN. Johnson has spent the season as a standout player for the Heat’s G League affiliate, Sioux Falls, averaging 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.