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 moving forward?
The Sporting News has the latest updates below.
MORE: Nuggets vs. Heat predictions – Will Miami’s Cinderella run end with title?
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.
Tyler Herro broke his right hand on this play in the 2nd quarter.
He will not return. pic.twitter.com/4uAQxVcJN8
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 16, 2023
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?
At the time of the injury, Bleacher Report’s Chris 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
Following the surgery, Herro was wearing a brace, which was removed ahead of the Heat’s Game 3 win over the Celtics, as reported by Allie LaForce on the TNT broadcast.
Tyler Herro doing basketball things! With his left hand. pic.twitter.com/9DETnMQ9zy
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) May 19, 2023
On May 24, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Herro had been cleared to resume non-contact court work and begin using his shooting hand again in drills, potentially even getting some shots up in practice.
However, that marks only the start of the process for him to return in competition. His initial timeline according to the Heat was to miss a “minimum of six weeks.” As of May 25, it will have been five weeks since his surgery.
Haynes provided an update during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, reporting that Herro is targeting a return to the floor at some point during the NBA Finals, likely Game 3 in Miami.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (hand fracture) is ramping up workouts and is expected to make his return at some point during NBA Finals with Game 3 being the likely target, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 30, 2023
The NBA Finals will begin on June 1 and could last until June 18 if it goes seven games.
Heat vs. Nuggets NBA Finals series schedule
The Nuggets earned homecourt advantage in the series thanks to their better regular season record. They will host Games 1 and 2 before the Heat host Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Games 5 and 7 will be played in Denver while Game 6 would be held in Miami.
MORE: Full details for Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals
Here is the full schedule for the 2023 NBA Finals:
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Game | Matchup | Time | National TV |
| June 1 | Game 1 | Heat at Nuggets | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 4 | Game 2 | Heat at Nuggets | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| June 7 | Game 3 | Nuggets at Heat | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 9 | Game 4 | Nuggets at Heat | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 12 | Game 5* | Heat at Nuggets | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 15 | Game 6* | Nuggets at Heat | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| June 18 | Game 7* | Heat at Nuggets | 8 p.m. | ABC |