Herro and Jakucionis join Heat on trip. Also, Powell says ‘I don’t plan on being out too long’

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Herro and Jakucionis join Heat on trip. Also, Powell says ‘I don’t plan on being out too long’

The Miami Heat is nearly whole for its four-game West Coast trip.

While Heat guards Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery) and Kasparas Jakucionis (right groin strain) remain out for Thursday night’s matchup against the Spurs in San Antonio, they both traveled with the team for the start of the trip that continues in Los Angeles with games against the Lakers on Sunday and Clippers on Monday before coming to an end on Wednesday against the Nuggets in Denver.

“It’s good for them,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said ahead of Thursday’s game in San Antonio when asked about Herro and Jakucionis joining the team on the road. “For us, sure, it’s always good to have them around. But I think it just speeds up the whole process when they’re around the guys, around the game, around the whole travel routine, and participating in some of the things that they can do, which they did this morning.”

Jakucionis, who remains day-to-day, has yet to play in his first NBA regular-season game after being drafted by the Heat with the 20th overall pick in June. He played in just one full preseason game, as he was held out of the first two exhibitions because of a sprained left wrist and then missed the final two exhibitions because of the groin issue that he’s still dealing with.

Including Thursday’s contest against the Spurs, Jakucionis has missed the Heat’s first five games of the regular season.

As for Herro, he’s not expected to make his season debut during the Heat’s current four-game trip despite being on the road with the team, according to a league source. He’s expected to be out until at least the middle of November after undergoing surgery on his left ankle on Sept. 19.

The only player on the Heat’s roster who didn’t travel with the team to San Antonio for the start of this trip is guard Terry Rozier, who remains away after his arrest last week stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme.

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) reacts after a play against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half of their NBA game at Kaseya Center on Oct. 28, 2025, in Miami. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

POWELL UPDATE

The Heat will also be without starting guard Norman Powell on Thursday against the Spurs.

Powell will miss his second straight game on Thursday after also being held out of Tuesday’s home win over the Charlotte Hornets because of a right groin strain. But Powell did travel with the Heat for the start of the current trip.

“I’m feeling good. Better than previous days,” Powell said Thursday morning. “So just taking it day by day. Excited for the trip. Excited for the game tonight, supporting and rooting the guys on. Being active, participating in the shootaround with what I see and how we can attack these guys offensively and defensively.”

After playing in the Heat’s first three games, Powell is averaging a team-high 24 points per game this season. He’s hopeful he’ll be able to return soon to continue his strong start to the season.

“We’re taking it day by day now. So we’ll see,” Powell said when asked if he’ll be able to return to play Sunday against the Lakers. “I don’t want to put anything out there and put pressure on anybody. But I’ll just say that I don’t plan on being out too long.”

THOUGHTS WITH JAMAICA

While Powell was with the Heat in San Antonio on Thursday, his thoughts are with the people of Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa making landfall as a Category 5 storm earlier this week.

Powell played for Jamaica’s men’s basketball team in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas pre-qualifiers in August. Powell was born and raised in San Diego, but his father was born in Kingston.

“Prayers out to everybody affected in Jamaica,” Powell said Thursday. “Crazy. Heartbreaking. Obviously, going to support and provide help with the relief efforts in Jamaica through my foundation, Understand The Grind Foundation. Hearts and prayers out to them. I’ve been checking on the guys on the national team and family that I do have there. Thankfully, everybody’s safe for the most part. Still waiting to hear back on damages and the situation for them. A lot of flooding and stuff so they can’t access those areas. Still talking to them, being very active and making sure they’re good and helping them in any way I can.”

This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM.