Josh

Richardson

Richardson didn’t play the final few months of last season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in early March, but he is expected to make a full recovery before next season begins. He played a reserve role before the injury, and he should once again play a decent-sized role off the bench next year, but he isn’t a player that will make much of a fantasy impact.

Richardson has been sidelined since February 11th, which has allowed Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to take on larger roles on the wing. Those two, along with Caleb Martin, should fill out large roles for the remainder of the season now that it is confirmed that Richardson won’t return.

Richardson has averaged 25.7 minutes per game in his first season back with Miami since 2018-19. His absence should free up more playing time for Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Richardson injured his shoulder reaching for the basketball during the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Team trainers helped him off the court, with the Heat ruling him out shortly after that. With Jimmy Butler (bereavement) away from the team, Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro are the only available perimeter playmakers.

With Jimmy Butler out for this game (and possibly more this week), Jaquez Jr. gets the bump into the starting lineup, where he has been effective this season. Josh Richardson and Duncan Robinson should also see larger roles off the bench.

Butler missed practice on Saturday, but he was expected to play on Sunday against the Celtics. However, that is not the case, and he will be sidelined for at least this game. Miami plays on Tuesday and Wednesday, but since this is a personal matter, the team will give Butler as long as he needs before he returns to the floor. There is a chance that he doesn’t play again until after the All-Star break. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Josh Richardson and Duncan Robinson will attempt to make up for the absence of Butler, with Jaquez Jr. likely making a return to the starting unit.

Despite being pushed to the bench with Tyler Herro back, Richardson was still able to post a solid line in this game. He put up 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and two triples as a starter in their last game, and he was able to provide similar production as a reserve in this one. Miami received a huge boost from their bench in this game between Richardson and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who finished with 12 points (4-of-11 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals and a 3-pointer. This level of production won’t be there consistently for them, but both reserve wings played well in this game.

Herro’s return pushes Josh Richardson to the bench, which was expected. However, Martin’s move into the starting lineup has bumped Haywood Highsmith to the bench. Highsmith hasn’t provided much statistically as a starter, and he will lose any value that he had with this lineup change.

Herro is back after a one-game absence, where he was a very late scratch. His return will push Josh Richardson to the bench, where he will split perimeter minutes with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Robinson, who is back after missing their last three games.

Herro was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, with Josh Richardson replacing him in the starting lineup. Getting Herro back would expand Miami’s rotation to nine players, as his absence did not result in anyone outside of the “usual suspects” getting any playing time on Sunday. Caleb Martin and Jaime Jaquez Jr. experienced a slight increase in playing time off the bench.