MIAMI – The Miami Heat are trying to make a playoff run with 12 games left in the season after Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the team still dealing with injuries to key players like Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins. As the Heat prepare for the matchup to end the season, head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke on the updates he has for both impact players as the team looks to solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference.
Heat's Erik Spoelstra provides update on Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jacquez Jr.
Starting with Wiggins, facing the Lakers on Thursday marks the seventh consecutive contest the veteran forward has missed as he deals with an injury listed as "Left Big Toe; Sesamoiditis." Wiggins is a mainstay in Miami's starting lineup, providing the team with a consistent two-way effort that works well offensively with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others.
This season, Wiggins is averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. In his absence, Spoelstra would say the team is "encouraged" by Wiggins' recovery process.
"He's making progress, he's not ready to go tonight. He's still got a ways to go, but we're encouraged by the progress he's made over the last few days," Spoelstra said before the Heat took on the Lakers.
As for Jaquez, he will be listed for Thursday's game due to "left hip tightness," a problem sustained during Tuesday's 136-106 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in Miami. His importance cannot be underestimated as Jacquez has been one of the leading candidates for Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field.
Spoelstra would say he'll be labeled "day-to-day."
"It happened in the game, but he's already had a lot of treatment. He's starting to feel better. So take it day by day," Spoelstra said.
Erik Spoelstra speaks on the injuries to Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins, who are both out.
Jaime's hip problem remained in Tuesday's game, "day-to-day."
Spoe 'encouraged' by Wiggins' recovery from toe injury. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/fatxq1ROvJ
- Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 19 March 2026
Erik Spoelstra on "big test" for the Heat
While the Heat absolutely want to see how well they can operate before the postseason, the team may not get enough time to see what a fully healthy Miami team looks like. Since there will be 12 games after the Lakers contest, it cannot be said for sure when Wiggins will return with Jacquez, making it difficult to evaluate the team.
Either way, Spoelstra told ClutchPoints that the “big test” is overcoming the home stretch of the season against other teams that have similar goals.
“I mean, the big test is, you know, how we raise our game and spirit and level of competition against teams that are playing for something, at least in our near future,” Spoelstra said. "And, you know, that's when people say they've always wanted that, and now we have it. But we always say it's just for the competitors, and other teams, you know, competing and bringing their best game. So it's just a matter of facing that level of competition and finding a way to get to another level."
Erik Spoelstra was asked if these final 13 games of the season will show how this team can really work or whether injuries are keeping it from getting a look: #HeatNation
"The big test is how we raise our game, spirit and level of competition..." pic.twitter.com/LRfHe3QmZh
- Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 19 March 2026
At any rate, Miami looks to take the remaining games remaining in the regular season and accomplish the goal they are striving for, which is to avoid the play-in tournament. After being in the tournament for the last three seasons and finishing as the eighth seed, the Heat are looking to move up to at least sixth place.
Entering Thursday against the Lakers, Miami is 38-31, in seventh place in the East, just a half-game behind the Orlando Magic, who hold the coveted sixth spot.
