Miami Heat Injury News: Goran Dragic Has Calf Injury, Out Indefinitely
Miami Heat starting point guard Goran Dragic did not play in his team's loss against the Los Angeles Clippers last Wednesday after suffering from what is believed to be serious but manageable calf strain.
Because of the injury, Dragic was no longer allowed to join the Heat in their road trip, but there still is no official statement from the Heat or Dragic himself about how long he will be out or if there is a need for a long rehabilitation process. In so many instances, the kind of injury merits a trip to the doctor, but Miami is hoping there is no more need for a long rehabilitation process.
The Slovenian star talked about the constant grind in an NBA regular season. "When your body is hot, you play through it… It's a bad strain; hopefully it's nothing," he said.
Dragic's start to the season for the Heat hasn't been that great. Miami is still way above .500 at 22-16, but the point guard does not have good numbers so far, though it also is fair to say that he's been stepping more on the gas as of late, averaging 14.3 points and five assists per game, compared to last month's averages of 10.6 points and 4.4 assists.
Another European point guard will be filling in for Dragic while everything else is being sorted out. This player is veteran campaigner Beno Udrih, who is expected to start the game, while sophomore guard Tyler Johnson will serve as substitute.
Head coach Erik Spoeslstra, talking to a group of reporters, said that the strain is a minor one and there is a very slim chance of a muscle torn, something the Heat couldn't afford at this juncture. The 29-year-old was traded from Phoenix to Miami last year, with the Heat looking for more stability in the backcourt after point guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole were shipped to different teams.