Bad news for Miami, who announce the injury to his right knee Dru Smithwho had obtained a standard contract (but not fully guaranteed) from Florida leaders a month ago.
Victim of a third degree sprain (the worst stage, synonymous with tearing a ligament), the 25-year-old player will not return to the NBA courts until… next season. A huge setback for this undrafted “combo guard”, which some imagined would explode with the Heat in 2023/24. Starting with his coach, Erik Spoelstra, who made him an option for his starting point guard position, during the training camp.
Used nine times this season, for 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 interceptions in 15 minutes on average (and 41% at 3-points), Dru Smith proved particularly valuable thanks to his defensive qualities, in absence of Gabe Vincent who left this summer for Los Angeles.
| Dru Smith | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 15 | 11 | 40.0 | 26.3 | 100.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 2.9 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 10 | 9 | 41.9 | 30.8 | 100.0 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 3.3 |
| 2022-23 * | MIA | 5 | 13 | 35.7 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.2 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 9 | 15 | 45.5 | 41.2 | 100.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 4.3 |
| Total | 24 | 12 | 42.3 | 33.3 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 3.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
