Heat’s Tyler Herro breaks hand in Game 1 vs. Bucks: How Miami will adjust

Heat guard Tyler Herro broke his right hand during the second quarter of the team’s first-round playoff game against the Bucks on Sunday and was ruled out, Miami announced. Here’s what you need to know:

• Herro appeared to injure the hand as he dove on the floor for the ball. He appeared to be in pain as he sank a corner 3 before exiting the game.
• Herro, Miami’s third-leading scorer this season, had 12 points in 19 minutes before exiting. The Heat started Duncan Robinson for the second half in place of Herro.
• His injury was the second major one of the game: Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out after sustaining a lower back contusion in the first quarter. Miami went on to win 130-117.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

How will the Heat adjust without Herro?

Miami entered this series faced with the difficult challenge of keeping up with the Bucks’ scoring. That task becomes infinitely harder if the Heat are without their third-leading scorer and their best 3-point marksman for the remainder of the series.

Robinson started the second half of Game 1 in place of Herro, and he offers a perimeter shooting threat. Robinson, however, hasn’t been a rotational mainstay since December. His defense, meanwhile, figures to be a liability the Bucks can exploit moving forward. Milwaukee wasted no time attacking Robinson in the third quarter.

The Heat don’t have many other options. Miami might be forced to dust off Victor Oladipo, who didn’t appear in eight of the team’s final 14 contests, including the team’s two Play-In Tournament games. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also is likely to extend the minutes of starters Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin and Max Strus, as well as reserve Kyle Lowry. But there is no replacing the scoring punch and playmaking Herro provides the Heat. — Mayberry

Backstory

Herro was averaging 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game heading into Sunday. He is shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 93.4 percent from the free-throw line this season.

Required reading

(Photo: Michael McLoone / USA Today)