Tyler Herrow was back at the FTX Arena for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night against the Boston Celtics in the Miami Heat Mix, after losing the previous three games with a groin strain.
Heroes were listed as suspicious earlier in the day, before their availability was announced two hours before Sunday’s opening tip.
“It’s all on deck right now,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said. “He passed his test with the trainers. He has been working really diligently for the past few days.
“Every day he’s made significant improvements, and he was able to do the shootaround this morning, but more importantly, he was able to work in the training room and pass those tests to be available.”
Heat center Bam Adebayo said he appreciated the caution.
“It’s a sensitive injury,” he said. “So, have to take your time.”
Harrow, the 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, last played in the Heat’s May 21 win over the Celtics in Game 3 of 3 at TD Garden when he closed 4 of 15 off the field in an uneven eight-point performance.
He then dropped out of the following three games, in each case being listed as suspicious until it was announced shortly before game time.
Hero had a somewhat breakout performance in the series opener against the Celtics, when he closed with 18 points and eight rebounds.
The other four players previously listed as suspects were also cleared to play: Kyle Lowry, Max Strauss and Gabe Vincent with hamstring strains, and PJ Tucker with knee burns. All four of them have played in the past week with those ailments listed.
For the Celtics, guard Marcus Smart (ankle) and center Robert Williams (knee) were also back on injury reports as suspects, a designation that didn’t keep them out of the Heat’s Game 6 win in Boston.
The Celtics remain without rookie guard Sam Hauser, who is dealing with a right shoulder instability episode.
Spoelstra did not attempt to downplay the magnitude of the moment.
Regarding his words to the team after the morning shoot, he said, “When we brought this up I said to people, like, ‘Good luck trying to take a nap. ,
Adebayo said there was little left to say.
“Win or go home. This is the seventh game, win or go home,” he said. “It sounds so cliche when people say it, but it’s really the last round of this series.”
So, said Spoelstra, embrace the moment.
“I think more than anything, as competitors, you just want to be very grateful for this opportunity and embrace the competition and whatever Game 7 will offer,” he said.
But that didn’t mean the strategy wasn’t addressed either, which included focusing on the Celtics’ Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“We just have to continue to take away some of the comfort things that can move them,” he said. “It’s easier said than done.
“And if we put the ball out of their hands, we’ll have to put those close to us and others involved, who are extremely dangerous.”
,
