Miami Heat guard Dru Smith has suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
He suffered the injury during Monday's win against the Brooklyn Nets. As Smith was dribbling during a possession early in the second quarter, he lost the ball in a turnover and immediately fell to the court, grimacing in pain.
Smith was escorted from the field to the locker room.
The injury, which requires surgery and months of rehabilitation, is devastating after the two-way guard made an excellent recovery from a torn ACL just over a year ago until he was moved to the Heat's rotation team and was about to play a regular NBA season. contract stood.
Smith also had to opt out of his 2021-22 season with Miami affiliate Sioux Falls in the G League due to a knee injury.
“We have an incredible amount of respect for his journey and what he has to overcome,” coach Erik Spoelstra said after Monday’s game. “I was often in the building last year when no one else was here and he was carrying out the extensive treatment and rehabilitation measures around the clock. He has incredible fortitude. In the end you are completely on the side of people like Dru.”
Smith, who turns 27 on Monday, averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game this season. He was released and re-signed by the Heat four times in his three-year career.
The Heat are signing two-way forward Keshad Johnson to a standard two-year NBA contract, sources told ESPN. Johnson spent the season as a standout player for Heat's G League affiliate Sioux Falls, averaging 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
