NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 18: Bam Adebayo #13 and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 18, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
“No idea” isn’t a very good injury report for Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat, in the big picture.
When the Heat lost 106-90 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 28, the big man first had a left hip contusion.
Over the course of the following month, he missed games on October 30, November 22, and November 25 before appearing on November 30 against the Indiana Pacers. Sadly for the people of South Beach, he played just 12:28 minutes on the court before being pulled from the starting lineup once more at the request of head coach Erik Spoelstra.
After a dismal start to the 2023–24 NBA season, Miami needs Adebayo on the court to generate some good momentum as it looks to get back on track. However, his comeback date is still undetermined.
Bam Adebayo Himself Doesn’t Know When He’ll be Back
Adebayo, who averages 22.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, will be absent for the second straight game on December 6 against the Toronto Raptors. Beyond that, nothing is clear.
When asked if he could play against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home two days later, he remained unsure.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Adebayo remarked, “I have no idea.” “Being on the sidelines is something new to me. The moment the squad returns from Toronto, I’m reassessed. At that point, we’ll talk.
While the Heat are reducing his on-court time, he did say that his hip is getting better.
“I haven’t begun playing much basketball—no touching. Adebayo clarified, “Everything else I’ve been doing, like shooting and whatnot, has gone well. Rest is the best thing for it. I’ve been attempting to accomplish that throughout the last few days. incredibly dull. However, this is how things work.
Adebayo’s Presence is Vital to the Heat
In essence, Miami is 10-6 when Adebayo is starting and 1-3 when he isn’t.
With a career-high 22.3 points per game average in 2023–24, the big man has been more aggressive than ever on the attacking end. He now sits just behind Jimmy Butler (22.4) and Tyler Herro (22.9) in the team standings. Even though Herro has been a key scorer, his scoring production is easier to replace, especially after he recovers from the ankle sprain that has kept him out of action since November 8.
Adebayo’s greatest influence is shown on defense, where his instincts and lateral mobility—which has been severely limited by a hip injury—allow him to excel as an interior deterrent and a help defender who can move onto almost any assignment. Even though he played at a lower level for an extended period of time, his work on the preventive end has placed him in the 94th percentile among all NBA players according to Dunks & Threes’ defensive estimated plus-minus measure.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of this big man to Spoelstra’s schemes when you consider his passing ability, willingness to work hard on both ends, and floor-stretching ability. According to Basketball Reference, he makes 40.6% of his looks from even deeper two-point territory and 49.4% of his shots from 10 to 16 feet.
Even if they can halt losses in key areas, Thomas Bryant, Orlando Robinson, and the other internal choices are undoubtedly unable to match his all-around effect.
The Heat are currently ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with an 11-9 record. They’ll need Adebayo to get some clarity on when he can don the uniform again and begin having an impact on the proceedings on both ends if they hope to move up the ladder quickly.
