MIAMI – With Miami Heat star Norman Powell considered "week-to-week" with a groin strain, the team is looking for ways to fill the void the All-Star has left now that there is no doubt a big question as to how productive he can be. With the Heat growing frustrated after taking a step back after their last two disappointing losses, head coach Erik Spoelstra has expressed confidence the team can keep the ship afloat, especially with star Tyler Herro.
While Powell is dealing with a Grade 1 groin strain that could cause the 32-year-old to miss a few games as Miami has four games this upcoming week, Herro is the clear choice to step into the role as the main offensive option alongside Bam Adebayo. Still, Powell has been key to the Heat's offense, leading the team with 22.5 points per game, but one can't forget that Herro was an All-Star last season, averaging 23.9 points per game.
Although Miami is losing Powell for an unknown amount of time, Herro's workload is likely to increase, with Spoelstra even telling ClutchPoints that he was "planning on playing him a few more minutes anyway."
"Well, we know what we miss with Norm," Spoelstra said before Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets. "He's proven this year that he's a versatile, explosive scorer in our system, but we also have other guys that can step up. Tyler, certainly, is a guy that's already starting to get into a better rhythm and were planning on playing him a few more minutes anyway."
“So, we need this,” Spoelstra continued. “You can see him in the second part [of last Thursday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers] He's just being himself, and I think he's going to get even better.”
Asked Erik Spoelstra about Norman Powell's absence and Tyler Herro's increased workload.
"We have other guys that can step up, certainly Tyler is a guy that's already starting to get into a better rhythm, was planning on feeding him a few more minutes anyway..." #heatanarian pic.twitter.com/eTj690ezyW
- Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 28 February 2026
More on Heat's Erik Spoelstra, Tyler Herro on Norman Powell's treatment
While the Heat are tired of participating in the play-in tournament and trying to climb the standings with 22 games remaining before Saturday, Herro will be key in keeping the offense going. However, from what fans have seen there may be a role change, as Herro has been coming off the bench for the last four games after missing 15 games due to a rib injury.
There was already a question whether Herro would be reinserted into the starting lineup, but now with Powell out, does Miami have an option? Only time will tell, but it can't be denied that Herro wants to stay healthy for the remainder of the season and help the Heat after he has missed 45 games this season due to a myriad of injuries.
In addition, the trio of Herro, Powell and Adebayo have only played 11 games this season, giving the team a small sample size on the ceiling. At any rate, Powell will work to get back, though it remains to be seen how much time will be lost.
"We took everything we had available to us today," Spoelstra said. "I feel for Norm, because he wants to be out for all the games, especially in these moments, you know, right now. But we'll treat him, and we'll see where he's at after the week."
On Norman Powell being labeled "week to week" by Erik Spoelstra and where that leaves the team.
"We have everything available to us today. I feel for Norm because he wants to be there for all the games... but we'll treat him and we'll see where he is after the week..." #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/3sn4FpTUoS
- Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 28 February 2026
Before Saturday's game against the Rockets, Miami is 31-29, leaving them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, but the good news is that, including the aforementioned contest, the Heat are at home for the next seven of eight contests.
