Miami Heat Injury News: Tyler Johnson to Have Surgery, Likely to Miss Two Months
Just as Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson was playing well in the past couple of games, he now will have to put that momentum to rest after doctors recommended he undergoes surgery on his injured left shoulder this week. With that in mind, the 23-year-old is expected to be out for at least two months, dealing the depleted Heat with a huge blow to their campaign in the second half of the season.
There is still no definite time for his return since the team said that it'll be known only after the surgery. Johnson went to an orthopedic surgeon last Sunday and it was at that point that he was advised to undergo surgery. The injury happened back in December and he was just trying to play through it.
Just in his second year in the league, Johnson has proven he can compete with the best. While he originally plays shooting guard, he had to adjust and play point after injuries to Goran Dragic and Beno Udrih, with the former still bothered by a calf strain and the latter suffering from a neck strain. With Johnson joining the list of injured Heat players, the team is running out of options at the guard position.
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Johnson is currently averaging 8.7 points and 3.0 rebounds a game, both career highs. He has played in 36 games so far and is one of the most versatile players in the roster, thanks to his commitment to contribute both on offense and defense. He also is averaging a decent 48.8 percent from the field and is above 35 percent on threes.
With him out for a significant time, the Heat will have to find ways to offset his contribution. He may not be as efficient as Dragic in playmaking, but he's an incredible athlete who can score on any opponent if given the opportunity. He declared for the draft two years ago but went undrafted. He played in the D-League, where he carved his own niche as an effective rotation player.
By looking at the remaining able bodies for Miami, it is likely that rookie Josh Richardson will be filling in for Johnson.
