Dru Smith injury update: Miami Heat star's latest news

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith out for the season with a third-degree ACL sprain, suffered in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Miami Heat, the defending Eastern Conference champions, suffered a blow when guard Dru Smith was diagnosed with a third-degree ACL sprain, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. The announcement came two days after Smith sustained the injury while contesting a shot by former Miami player Max Strus in a road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Smith, a key player in the Heat's rotation, had been averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in the nine games he played this season before the injury. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra expressed concern over the design of the Cavaliers' court, which he described as slighted and elevated, attributing it to Smith's injury.

The 25-year-old guard, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA rookie draft, had previously played for the Brooklyn Nets before signing with the Heat this year. The knee injury occurred in the second quarter of the game against the Cavaliers when Smith landed near the opposing team's bench, causing his left leg to slip down the lower level of the elevated court.

Smith will require surgery, and full recovery from an ACL injury typically takes six to 12 months, meaning he will likely be unavailable until the start of the 2024-25 season. Prior to his injury, Smith was on a two-way contract with the Heat in training camp before being elevated to the standard 15-man roster ahead of opening night, securing a two-year, minimum-salary deal with a $425K partial guarantee.