MIAMI — It has been a question deferred since the start of training camp, when Terry Rozier was lost with a hamstring strain. But back at practice Thursday at Kaseya Center, the next step is figuring where the veteran guard fits into this season’s Miami Heat mix — if at all.
From a health standpoint, Rozier said he is ready to get back into action, with the Heat completing their six-game preseason schedule Friday night at Kaseya Center against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I feel good. I feel good,” he said. “Obviously it’s a long season. We’ve got one more preseason game tomorrow, so definitely looking to get out there, be with my teammates, get them reps. But I feel good. It’s been a good rehab.”
With the Heat with considerable backcourt depth, even with Tyler Herro still sidelined following last month’s ankle surgery, Rozier was not necessarily projected as a rotation player, especially in light of last season’s struggles.
“I don’t know what the guys got in mind,” he said of the Heat coaching staff and management. “I’m just here to play my best basketball and try to help out the younger guys.
“But that’s all I ask for is a fair opportunity, a fair chance.”
An aspect where Rozier could conceivably help is an offense that again has been anemic amid this 0-5 preseason run.
“Last season it was rough, definitely for me,” said Rozier, 31, who is in the final year of his contract. “So I had a whole lot of the whole summer just to reflect on what I want to do and what I want to bring to this team. I’m ready.
“Like I said, just hopefully I get the equal opportunity, equal as everybody. But if not, I’m still going to be here in voice and be that vet.”
Rozier’s initial hope was a quicker return.
“A little longer,” he said. “But I pulled my hammy. So it’s nothing to play around with. Even if you feel good early, you got to take your time and wait.
“So that’s what we did. Like I said, I had a good rehab.”
Terry Rozier back at work at Heat practice. He has yet to play this preseason. pic.twitter.com/zRZH97WKUm
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 16, 2025
The next goal is an opportunity.
“It would be good, just to get my wind up and get my reps,” he said of Friday night’s exhibition finale. “That’s all I care about, not worried about anything else.”
Toeing the line
Also back at practice was center Kel’el Ware, who sat out Thursday night’s intrasquad scrimmage, after having a toenail removed earlier in the day.
“In the last game, Simone kind of like stepped on it and took off,” Ware said of the unfortunate interaction with teammate Simone Fontecchio during Monday night’s overtime loss in Atlanta. “So he kind of cracked it a little bit. So they were like it’s best if they take it off. It can heal better that way.”
As for the pain of the procedure, Ware said, “it was numbed.”
Not too bruised
Center Bam Adebayo also was cleared to return to practice Thursday, after sustaining a knee contusion in Monday’s loss to the Hawks, also sitting out Thursday night’s intrasquad scrimmage.
“I mean in the moment, nobody wants to get injured, no matter what it is,” Adebayo said. “You always have that concern. No, I walked it off and I’m good.”
Of the 21 players on the preseason roster, only Herro and first-round Kasparas Jakucionis (groin strain) did not practice Thursday.
