The Miami Heat are preparing for a tough matchup against early-season MVP front-runner Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
Miami enters the contest with a 3-1 record and a considerable amount of momentum after a fantastic 144-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, but the scorching offensive unit will be without one of their main catalysts on that end of the floor for a second consecutive game.
According to Heat beat reporter Ira Winderman, their star trade acquisition and ex-Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Norman Powell will be sidelined for the night against a formidable young opponent.
“Norman Powell out tonight for Miami,” Winderman shared via X/Twitter on Thursday night.
“Nikola Jović has been cleared to play.”
Though the Heat will be missing their red-hot scorer, Powell has started the 2025-26 NBA season on an incredible note from an individual standpoint.
In his first three appearances of the young season, the 32-year-old fringe All-Star has contributed 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists while knocking down a blistering 50.0% of his 6.0 attempts from three-point range and compiling a 66.5% true shooting percentage.
Powell’s early statement performance in his debut season with the Heat came against the New York Knicks on Sunday, when his 29 points and 7 rebounds led his group to a 115-97 victory.
The Heat will be sorely missing Powell’s presence against San Antonio’s 7-foot-5 rising superstar Wembanyama, who continues to amaze NBA fans on a nightly basis thanks to his unreal agility, tight handle and knock-down three-point shot.
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