Jaime

Jaquez Jr.

Jaquez missed Miami’s last two games, and his absence freed up additional minutes for rookie Pelle Larsson. Nikola Jovic’s decrease in minutes has also helped Larsson from a playing time standpoint. There’s no need to stream Larsson, especially if Jaquez plays in Denver.

Both guys missed Monday’s game, though Love has yet to play at all this season. Josh Richardson and Alec Burks should once again soak up the reserve minutes on the wing, while Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson will fill out some of the frontcourt minutes. Larsson is coming off playing 25 minutes in their last game, though he has largely been stuck on the bench this season.

Due to a stomach illness, Jaquez will not play in Miami’s final game before a six-game road trip. Alec Burks and Josh Richardson can absorb the minutes that would have gone to Jaquez. While neither is a great streaming option, Burks hit five 3-pointers and scored 15 points in Saturday’s win over the Wizards.

Love hasn’t hit the hardwood yet in 2024-25. Fantasy managers should expect Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez to play plenty during his absence and even following his return.

Richardson’s absence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, as Miami has multiple wings within the rotation to call upon for production.

In the aftermath of his stellar performance on Monday and the Heat having played two games in Las Vegas, we’ve likely seen the last of Jaquez this week. The plan was for him to play two games before the team decided on Jaquez’s availability for the rest of the week. His summer began with a few practices for the United States select team, which helped the senior national team in its stateside prep for the upcoming Paris Olympics. While Jaquez was effective as a rookie, his role should expand next season after Caleb Martin’s exit. Add Jimmy Butler’s past availability issues, and Jaquez will be worth drafting in standard leagues.

Miami shot 62% from the field on Saturday, with Jaquez leading the way. As a rookie, he was one of the best first-year players in the NBA last season, and the expectation is that he’ll be even better in Year 2. Jaquez began this month with the United States select team as they helped prepare the team headed to Paris for the Olympics, and he isn’t going to play much in Vegas. The plan is for Jaquez to play two games with the Heat, and it’s fair to wonder if the team will change those plans after his stellar showing against the Celtics.

Already playing without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, the last thing Miami needed was another injury. Jaquez injured his hip during Monday’s Game 4 defeat, limiting the rookie to 22 minutes. He will not play in what could be the Heat’s final game of the season, with Jaquez’s absence freeing up a spot in the starting lineup. Delon Wright, Haywood Highsmith, and Duncan Robinson (who’s dealing with left facet syndrome) are all available to absorb the minutes that would usually go to Jaquez.

Jaquez said that he “felt something give” while going up for a rebound. Erik Spoelstra said that they will find out more on Tuesday, so hopefully there will be a clearer indication of his status for Game 5 on Wednesday. Miami has been playing without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, so losing Jaquez Jr. would likely mean more minutes for Delon Wright and Haywood Highsmith. #HeatCulture isn’t going down without a fight, but if they’re down another starter, it will be difficult for them to extend the series in Boston.

Rozier remains sidelined for another game, meaning Jaime Jaquez Jr. will continue to start alongside Tyler Herro. The rookie wing is worth slotting into DFS lineups for Monday’s slate. Also, Delon Wright should play more minutes off the bench.