Miami Heat forward Nikola Jović is facing a significant setback after being diagnosed with a broken bone in his right hand. The Heat officially confirmed on Tuesday that Jović will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks.

The injury occurred during Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, when Jović fractured the second metacarpal in his right hand. The injury was initially assessed during halftime, and he was immediately ruled out for the rest of the game. In the days following the incident, Jović was evaluated by the Heat’s medical team, including Dr. Elizabeth Ann Ouellette, the team’s hand specialist, and Dr. Harlan Selesnick, the team physician. After the evaluation, it was confirmed that he would require a recovery period of four weeks, during which time he will wear a splint to protect the injured area.

Jović, who has become an essential part of the Heat’s rotation this season, will miss at least the next 15 games. The earliest possible return for the young forward is expected to be on March 25, when the Heat face off against the Golden State Warriors, led by former Miami forward Jimmy Butler.

Miami’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, expressed his sympathy for the player, acknowledging how much effort Jović has invested into his development this season. “I feel for Niko,” Spoelstra said. “I know how much he’s put into this.”

Jović’s absence comes at a crucial time for the Heat, who are currently competing for a guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With a current record of 11-5 when Jović scores at least 14 points, his offensive contributions will be sorely missed. As of now, the Heat are sitting in ninth place in the East, trailing the Detroit Pistons by five games for the sixth seed, the last guaranteed playoff spot.

This injury adds to the mounting challenges for the Heat, who have been striving to find consistent form in a competitive playoff race. The team will face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, a matchup that will be crucial as they look to stay in contention for a top-six seed without Jović’s presence on the court.

With Jović out for the time being, the Heat will need other players to step up and fill the gap left by his absence. The four-week recovery timeline provides a clear window for the team to adjust, but it also underscores the difficulty of losing a key contributor at a pivotal moment in the season.

Miami will be watching Jović’s recovery closely, hoping that his return later in the season will provide the boost they need to secure a playoff berth.