LOS ANGELES — The reality remains that Norman Powell has never played with Tyler Herro, practiced with Tyler Herro, and only now is traveling with Tyler Herro.
So with the Miami Heat about to move into their third week of the season, question remains of what this all exactly will look like.
For now, Herro merely is a spectator, the timeline in his recovery from September ankle surgery to have him out two more weeks. With Powell, there is less clarity, possibly in a more optimistic vein, as he works through the groin strain that has had him out the past two games. He is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m looking forward to it,” center Bam Adebayo said of being something closer to whole, with the Heat’s four-game western swing continuing after Sunday with a Monday night game against the Los Angeles Clippers and concluding with a Wednesday night game against the Denver Nuggets.
Through this 3-2 start, it has been a delicate individual balance of not trying to do too much, while also attempting to keep the team afloat.
“I feel like that’s a whole other level we can take when those guys get back,” said forward Andrew Wiggins, who is coming off a 24-point performance in the 107-101 Thursday night loss to the San Antonio Spurs that opened this trip. “Those are big-time players. So it will be a special moment when we have the whole squad together, back.”
Forward Simone Fontecchio also is confidently curious.
“Yeah, for sure, it’s going to be interesting for sure when everybody’s healthy and we got a full squad ready to go.”
But even with a Powell return, the waiting game will continue with Herro.
“I think we just got to think of the present right now, who’s out there, who’s able to lead the team right now,” Fontecchio said.
So not as much looking ahead as looking forward.
“Like I said, it’s going to be a fun season,” Adebayo said. “We’re looking to keep competing. We’re looking to find ways to win.
“We all can raise our level higher.”
What’s been accomplished in the absences of Herro and Powell can only enhance when the two return, coach Erik Spoelstra said.
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“We know how important Norm is and how important Tyler will be,” he said.
“I just wanted to be open to the possibilities. I said on that first presser that we’re embracing the unknown and embracing the possibilities of what we can develop, and hopefully we continue to gain momentum. Ultimately, we need some surprises as the season goes on.”
Powell contribution
Powell, who is captain of Jamaica’s national team, is donating $100,000 via his Understand the Grind Foundation to Direct Relief in support of Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.
In addition, his foundation is seeking additional donations at DirectRelief.com/SupportJamaica.
Luka next
Having fallen Thursday to the unicorn that is 7-foot-5 Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama, the Heat next move on to the challenge that is the Lakers’ Luka Doncic.
Having missed the previous three games with a combination of a finger sprain and leg contusion, Donic returned Friday night with a 44-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance in a 117-112 victory in Memphis.
Doncic is averaging 45.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists in his three appearances this season, at .584 from the field.
“Sometimes it’s going to be scoring,” Doncic said after the victory in Memphis, “sometimes other things.”
With Friday’s performance, he became just the second player in NBA history to score 40 or more in his first three appearances of the season. The other is Wilt Chamberlain, who opened seasons with seven and five such consecutive 40-point games.
“He just continues to get where he wants to go and he takes what the defense gives him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of Doncic. “He just seems very comfortable out there.”
Injury report
In addition to Powell being listed as questionable and Herro listed as out against the Lakers, also out for the Heat are Vlad Goldin (G League), Kasparas Jakucionis (groin) and Terry Rozier (not with team) . . .
Among those participating in Saturday’s practice at UCLA was former Heat captain and current team executive Udonis Haslem, who is in town because of his work with Amazon Prime’s studio coverage. Haslem was joined on set Friday night by Powell and Adebayo.
