It appears Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic is healthier than anticipated.
A video surfaced on social media Sunday showing he was no longer in a walking boot. The clip, posted by NBA Serbia, featured Jovic participating in drills.
He did not travel to Paris with the Serbian national team for the Olympics but the update is good news for the Heat. There were reports he sustained a fractured ankle last month but the Heat have defined it as a bad sprain.
Jovic was supposed to team with Nikola Jokic for the Olympics but now has the opportunity to fully recover this summer so he is ready by the time training camp arrives in September. Jovic averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in his second NBA season.
He and second-year forward Jaime Jaquez are considered the young cornerstones for the Heat after being drafted in successive years.
JAQUEZ A VALUABLE PRESENCE AT SUMMER LEAGUE
Jaquez's impact went far beyond the box score Saturday.
He had 29 points and 11 rebounds in a victory against the Boston Celtics in the summer league but it was more than just numbers.
"It's been great, just having Jaime here for two days," Heat summer league coach Dan Bisaccio said. "Don't tell Jaime I said that. Just having him in a film session. We did a nice little yoga workout. A guy who's been in their shoes, has experience but is also in the trenches with them. That matters."
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Inside The Heat. He can be reached at [email protected]
