Miami Heat Defensive Ace Out Indefinitely

Following a disappointing playoff performance, the Miami Heat have made several changes to their roster in their push to become an NBA championship contender. Players have been traded, new players signed, and they have drafted a top-10 rookie. Remarkably, the franchise managed to retain its young core during this overhaul, which positions them as contenders for the next few seasons while maintaining roster stability. However, an injury report has surfaced concerning the team's defensive ace, Haywood Highsmith.

Highsmith suffered a meniscal tear in his right knee during a training session in Baltimore. Fortunately, he underwent successful surgery on August 9th, 2025. However, he’s expected to be sidelined for the next eight to ten weeks, possibly missing the season opener. This could influence the team’s decision of whether they are willing to offer Highsmith a contract extension since he’s entering the last year of his contract. The Heat are still optimistic about his return at the beginning of the season and expect him to continue playing a significant role on the team.

Despite not being a consistent starter, Highsmith is coming off a season where his per-game averages for points, assists, rebounds, and steals all increased. This is likely due to the amount of playing time he received, having started 43 games compared to his 26 in 2024. Although he had a slight decrease in his field goal and three-point shooting percentages, Highsmith did show improvement in free throw shooting, with a notable increase in percentage. In 2024, he shot a below-average of 63.9%, while in 2025, he shot 72.1%. His best skill, however, is his ability to play defense. During his four-year tenure with the Heat, he’d established himself as one of the most underrated defenders in the league and the Heat’s defensive ace. He can guard multiple positions, create deflections, and force turnovers. Highsmith also avoids falling for fakes, staying disciplined to his defensive assignments. While some view him as a lockdown defender, his main weakness is guarding quicker perimeter players. However, his overall defense is highly recognized among players and coaches throughout the league, being tasked with covering stars on opposing teams. With Highsmith gone for at least two months, the team will have to rely on its bench to fill in the void, emphasizing the importance of defense within the Heat’s system.