Miami Heat Guard Dru Smith Suffers Season-Ending Torn Achilles Injury
Injury Details
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith has suffered another season-ending injury, this one a torn Achilles in his left leg. The injury occurred during Monday night’s game against Brooklyn, where Miami won 110-95.
Preliminary Diagnosis and MRI Confirmation
After Smith left the court for evaluation, the preliminary diagnosis was a torn Achilles, which was later confirmed by an MRI exam on Tuesday.
Previous Injuries
This injury marks the third consecutive season that Smith has been cut short by injury. Just 13 months ago, he was lost for most of the 2023-24 season with a right knee injury. Prior to that, his 2021-22 season with Miami’s Sioux Falls affiliate in the G League was also cut short by a knee injury.
Coach Erik Spoelstra’s Comments
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed his admiration for Smith’s journey and determination, saying: "You don’t want to see anybody get hurt, but we all have such incredible, deep respect for his journey and what he’s had to overcome. I’ve been in the building all those times last year when nobody else was here and he was doing all the extensive treatment and rehab, around the clock. He just has incredible fortitude. You end up absolutely rooting for guys like Dru."
Career-Best Season
Smith was enjoying the best season of his brief NBA career, averaging 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 19.1 minutes per game. He was on a two-way contract, which was likely to be upgraded to a standard NBA deal, increasing his salary to just under $1.2 million.
Previous Season-Ending Injury
Smith’s previous season-ending injury occurred on November 22, 2023, when he hurt his ACL in his right knee after slipping off a raised portion of the floor in front of the Cleveland Cavaliers bench. This injury required season-ending surgery and several months of recovery.
Career Stats
Smith has averaged 4.5 points in 38 NBA games with Miami and Brooklyn. He has been in training camp with the Heat in each of the last four seasons.
Conclusion
Dru Smith’s season-ending injury is a devastating blow to the Miami Heat, who had been enjoying a strong season with his contributions. Smith’s determination and resilience will be put to the test as he undergoes surgery and begins his rehabilitation.
FAQs
Q: What is Dru Smith’s current injury?
A: Dru Smith has suffered a torn Achilles in his left leg.
Q: How many consecutive seasons has Dru Smith been cut short by injury?
A: This is Dru Smith’s third consecutive season that has been cut short by injury.
Q: What was Dru Smith’s career-best season statistics?
A: Dru Smith averaged 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 19.1 minutes per game.
Q: How much was Dru Smith’s salary likely to increase?
A: Dru Smith’s salary was likely to increase from $578,577 to just under $1.2 million.
