The Heat announced Friday that Smith underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.
Smith ruptured his Achilles against Brooklyn on Monday and has suffered a season-ending injury in back-to-back years. Smith is set to become a free agent this offseason and will likely look to earn a contract as a backup point guard.
Smith sustained a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in Monday's 110-95 win over Brooklyn, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The setback is a devastating one for Smith, who had already missed most of the 2023-24 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee last November. Smith re-signed with Miami on a two-way deal this July and had recently worked his way into the rotation, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.8 three-pointers in 26.1 minutes over a stretch of eight games before going down with the Achilles injury early in Monday's win. He'll continue to occupy a two-way slot while he recovers from the injury, though the Heat could eventually waive him in order to sign a healthy player.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Not starting Monday
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Smith is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Nets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith will return to the bench after starting in the Dec. 21 loss to the Magic, when he tallied 13 points, four rebounds and four steals across 26 minutes. That was his first start of the campaign, and the floor general is averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game when coming off the bench.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Won't return Monday
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Smith (lower leg) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Nets.
Smith suffered what appeared to be a significant lower left leg injury during Monday's game and was quickly ruled out. He'll finish the contest scoreless (0-1 FG) with one rebound and one assist in seven minutes. Expect Alec Burks and Pelle Larsson to pick up the slack. Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Smith will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. We should have a clearer picture of his status following the test.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Goes to locker room
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Smith exited Monday's game against the Nets after sustaining an apparent knee injury, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith's left knee seemed to buckle, and he needed assistance to get back to the locker room. While he's sidelined, Alec Burks and Pelle Larsson could see more minutes.
Smith is part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
Smith will make his first start of the season Saturday, stepping into the first unit in place of Jimmy Butler (illness). Smith has logged more than 25 minutes in five straight games, averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals during that stretch.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Records six steals
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Smith closed with seven points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and six steals over 31 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 125-124 overtime loss to Detroit.
Smith continues to make noise for Miami, recording a career-high six steals in this loss. With so many rumors swirling around the future of Jimmy Butler, Smith is someone that could step into a larger role if Miami deals their star forward. Through six December contests, Smith is averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 three-pointers.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Ties season high with 11 points
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Smith totaled 11 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Thursday's 114-104 win over Toronto.
With Josh Richardson (heel) still sidelined, Smith saw a career-high 34 minutes. The third-year player made the most of it, tying his season high in points, outscoring starter Duncan Robinson (eight) and fellow second-unit guys Jaime Jaquez (six) and Terry Rozier (five). Thursday night's game made it clear that coach Erik Spoelstra trusts Smith to produce in a larger role as long as Richardson remains out.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Cleared for Wednesday's game
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Smith (knee) will suit up for Wednesday's game at the Hornets.
Smith has seen periodic minutes for Miami this season, though coach Erik Spoelstra seems to be searching for a spark, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Smith gets an extra look now and then. In 10.4 minutes per game this season, the guard is averaging 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Probable for Wednesday
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Smith (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Smith will likely be available after missing two straight games due to a knee injury. However, he has had a volatile role with the Heat, and he's not guaranteed to see any rotation minutes on a nightly basis.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Tuesday
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Smith (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith is slated to miss a second straight game due to a knee injury. His role has been sporadic this season, so his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation, especially considering the Heat are getting Terry Rozier (foot) back from a two-game absence.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Questionable for Tuesday
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Smith (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Smith missed Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise he suffered in Friday's practice, but he remains day-to-day. When the Heat are healthy, Smith faces an uphill battle for consistent minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Out Sunday with bone bruise
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Smith won't play in Sunday's game against Dallas due to a right knee bone bruise.
Smith sat out Friday's practice with the injury. The two-way player has been largely outside of the Heat's rotation this season, though he saw 25 minutes off the bench in Miami's most recent game Monday and recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over the 76ers. The Heat will get Jaime Jaquez (ankle) back from a one-game absence Sunday, and he could end up absorbing most of Smith's minutes.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Sits out practice
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Smith didn't participate in Friday's practice due to a swollen knee, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
With Terry Rozier (foot) out for Miami's most recent contest, Smith logged 25 minutes of action. However, with Rozier nearing a return to the lineup, Smith will likely return to a depth role in the team's backcourt. Regardless, the 26-year-old guard's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Back to bench
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Smith won't start Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Magic.
With most of Miami's regulars resting during the preseason finale, Smith drew a spot start. However, aside from Josh Richardson (shoulder), the Heat are healthy heading into the regular season, so Smith isn't guaranteed playing time on Opening Night.
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Heat's Dru Smith: Starting preseason finale
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Smith is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Grizzlies.
The Heat are resting most of their regulars in the preseason finale since the start of the regular season is right around the corner. Smith will get the nod at point guard in place of Terry Rozier (rest) and will play alongside Pelle Larsson in the backcourt.
Smith (knee) agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat on Monday.
This signing presumably means that Smith has returned to health following a season-ending knee injury that limited him to nine games during the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in nine appearances before going down with the injury. Smith figures to split time between the Heat and the club's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
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Dru Smith: Cut by Miami
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The Heat plan to waive Smith (knee) on Tuesday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Smith is out for the season after tearing his right ACL in November, so Miami opted to move on from him to clear up a roster spot for veteran guard Patty Mills, who was recently bought out by Atlanta. The 26-year-old Smith averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest across nine appearances for Miami before suffering the season-ending injury and undergoing surgery.
