Heat lose Herro to broken hand in Game 1 win

MILWAUKEE — Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro broke his right hand while diving for a loose ball during the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 1 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Herro crashed to the floor after he was unsuccessful in trying to chase down a loose ball during the final minute of the first half. He stayed in the game until halftime but was in clear discomfort, holding his right hand while on the court before attempting a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining. Once he missed the rim badly on the shot attempt, Herro winced in pain.

Before the start of the third quarter, the Heat announced he would not return to the game. Herro scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 19 minutes.

Miami was able to maintain a big halftime lead despite Herro’s exit and went on to beat the Bucks 130-117. Milwaukee was without Giannis Antetokounmpo for most of the contest, as the two-time MVP left late in the first quarter due to a back injury.

“He’s not going to play the next game, and then we’ll just figure it out,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Herro. “I got the same diagnosis that you all heard.”

In his fourth season, Herro has been a vital part of Miami’s offense this season, averaging over 20 points per game and tied with Jimmy Butler for the highest usage rate on the team.

“You can’t fully make up what Tyler has been for our team all year long, but guys got to step up, including myself, including Bam [Adebayo] and whoever Spo calls upon to do an offensive assignment, a defensive assignment, to bring some energy, to dive on the floor, get a loose ball or rebound,” Butler said. “It’s like all hands on deck at all times, now more than ever.”

Herro was seen after the game congratulating teammates while wearing a cast on the hand.

“The biggest thing is he had a smile on his face, and he wasn’t discouraged about what happened to him,” Adebayo said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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