Heat guard Powell plays through hamstring tightness as Miami leans on rebounding surge
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January 5, 2026 — Norman Powell shook off early right-hamstring tightness Saturday in Minneapolis, came back to score a team-best 21 points and followed that performance with 34 points Sunday in New Orleans, helping the Miami Heat secure back-to-back wins.
“I like thugging things out,” the veteran guard said after Sunday’s victory. “If I’m able to play and help my team, I’m going to do it. We only get so many games in this league.”
Powell, obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers in an offseason trade, is averaging a team-high 24.4 points per game while playing on a $20.5 million expiring contract. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said the 32-year-old cleared medical checks before re-entering Saturday’s contest. “He trusts his body,” Spoelstra noted. “Once he passed the protocols, he was good to go.”
Injury updates
• Guard Tyler Herro, limited to one appearance in the past 13 games because of a right big-toe contusion, suited up Sunday but was held out for precaution. He will travel on Miami’s upcoming four-game trip and could return Tuesday in Minnesota.
• Rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. missed Sunday’s matchup with a sprained right ankle he suffered the previous night. The absence was only his second of the season. “I tried running on it, and it wasn’t feeling right,” Jaquez said.
Midseason outlook
At 20-16, Miami sits short of its own expectations, Powell acknowledged. Still, the club has won five of its last six behind improved work on the glass. Center Bam Adebayo, rookie Kelel Ware and forward Andrew Wiggins have keyed that effort. “If we keep pressuring the boards, people are going to get really tired of us,” guard Pelle Larsson said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
