He was expected to return for the Finals, but he’s still “out. Tyler Hiro (Miami) will miss Game 4.
Local media, including ESPN, reported on Hiro’s recovery and whether he will play in Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Sept. 9 (KST).
The bottom line is that he will miss Game 4 on Tuesday. Hiro fractured his right hand in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks. He has been sidelined ever since.
Miami lost Hiro and Victor Oladipo to the lineup, but Jimmy Butler’s clutch play and rainbow 3-point shooting helped the Heat reach the Finals. Miami has made a total of 277 3-pointers in the playoffs this season, second only to the Boston Celtics (281). Their success rate (38.8%) is first.
But the Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, have a high ceiling. Miami won Game 2 to even the series, but lost Game 3 to hand the series back to the Nuggets.
They’ll need Hiro’s backup shooting, but he’ll be out for Game 4, contrary to his initial prediction that he’d be back in the Finals. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said of Hiro: “He has to go through a lot of steps to come back. He has to shoot, he has to move, he has to meet with the coaches, and he has to practice. He’s not available yet.”
Even though his return is taking longer than expected, Butler was hoping to finish the Finals with Hiro. “He’s been a part of the huge accomplishments that our team has made in a season,” Butler said. His mental strength is very strong. He’s doing everything he can to come back to help the team. When he’s ready, he’ll come back even stronger.”
Miami is only the second team in history to reach the Finals as the No. 8 seed. In 1999, the New York Knicks pulled off the first miracle in history, only to lose the title to the San Antonio Spurs. Miami is giving it their all, but time is not on their side. They’ve been through seven games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, and the physical strain is getting to them. Bam Adebayo (shoulder) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) are also playing through pain.스포츠토토
Hiro has averaged 20.1 points, three 3-pointers, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.9 minutes in 67 games this season. While his scoring is down slightly from last season (20.7 points), all of the listed numbers, including minutes, are career highs. His three-point shot is a weapon, but it could be a huge boost for a Miami team that is also dealing with a declining roster. After missing Game 4, will Hiro be able to take the court in Game 5?