Miami, FL
Meet the Heat rookie who looks like a high schooler — and technically still is one
NEW YORK — Miami Warmth rookie Nikola Jovic is already a extremely completed 19-year-old.
Jovic was the twenty seventh decide in June’s NBA draft, made his NBA preseason debut Tuesday towards the Minnesota Timberwolves and impressed in Thursday night time’s preseason matchup towards the Brooklyn Nets together with his finest displaying but: 10 factors, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of steals in 16 minutes in a 109-80 Warmth victory.
There is one activity that continues to be on Jovic’s to-do listing: Graduating highschool.
“He is extraordinarily distinctive,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra stated after Miami’s win. “He is so younger.
“To place it in perspective, he is nonetheless ready to do his remaining examination to graduate from highschool, and doing that over Zoom.”
To be exact, Jovic has one remaining step earlier than graduating — a complete examination to cap his senior yr in Serbia. The remainder of his classmates took the examination within the spring, when Jovic was going by draft exercises.
“I did not have time [to take the exam] — particularly due to the time distinction,” Jovic stated with a sheepish smile contained in the Barclays Heart visiting locker room.
Jovic stated he had no regrets about his determination, which did not sit properly with somebody particularly: Mother.
“Yeah. At that second, I’d say [the workouts were more important],” Jovic stated. “She needed me to complete faculty. However I used to be like, ‘Mother!’”
Now, Jovic plans to not solely end highschool, however to go on to school after.
“Most likely quickly, ,” he stated, when requested when he’ll take the check. “As quickly as I’ve a bit of me time, I will do it. As quickly as I get involved with my academics and stuff, as a result of like I stated, the time distinction is actually [big].”
As his teammates discovered of Spoelstra’s postgame revelation, Warmth veteran Dewayne Dedmon gave Jovic a good-natured ribbing:
“You ain’t even graduated highschool?” an incredulous Dedmon requested.
“I am ending it proper now,” Jovic stated.
“You realize, you possibly can’t go from highschool to the professionals but,” Dedmon stated in response.
“You’ll be able to from Europe,” Jovic stated.
“Apparently,” Dedmon stated, drawing some laughs.
Throughout Thursday night time’s win, Jovic flashed a number of the all-around ability that led Miami to pick the 6-foot-10 ahead within the first spherical out of Mega Mozzart within the Adriatic League, and Spoelstra stated he was happy with how the rookie carried out.
“His ability set is exclusive due to his measurement,” Spoelstra stated. “He is actually simply beginning his weight-lifting program with us the final six weeks. So we cannot even see the good thing about that till subsequent summer time. However then his capacity to deal with, to shoot, to place the ball on the ground. He is a very good passer. That is in all probability at this level his finest ability, and he is growing all the remainder of it.
“[He’s] dwelling in a brand new nation, new metropolis, new teammates, he is taking part in with all people that is principally 10 years older or greater than him, and we’re excited concerning the potential that he brings.”
For his half, Jovic stated the thought of sharing the courtroom with superstars akin to Kevin Durant, who scored 22 factors in Brooklyn’s loss, was one thing he’ll slowly get used to as he adjusts to life within the NBA.
“Unbelievable,” Jovic stated. “Final yr, I used to be a child who was going to highschool and after highschool I’d go dwelling and watch a few of these guys on TV, or on YouTube.
“And now I get to play towards them. So yeah, it is totally different. Unbelievable.”
Miami, FL
Kevin Durant Again Clutch as Suns Escape Heat
PHOENIX — Another night for the Phoenix Suns, another win, and another clutch Kevin Durant shot.
Things were looking murky for the Suns in their 115-112 victory over the Miami Heat, especially in the third when their deficit reached double digits and they looked all sorts of lost.
However, Durant again came to the rescue like so many times before to push the Suns to a 7-1 record, matching their best start to a season through the first eight games.
Durant pushed Phoenix’s lead to two possessions with this shot as time ran down:
Jusuf Nurkic also played a massive part in Phoenix gaining a win, as his 20 points and 18 rebounds were much needed.
Quick Recap
The Suns got out to a 26-25 lead after the first quarter thanks to a strong effort in the paint by Phoenix, who out-rebounded Miami 13-8 in the opening quarter of play.
However, it was the Heat who walked into the locker room at halftime ahead 58-55 thanks to 14 points from Tyler Herro, who was 3-4 shooting from downtown. Miami made a total of 7-15 attempts from deep through the first two quarters.
The Heat took control of the third quarter and eventually built their lead to 15 before a late Suns surge (15-3) closed the quarter on a high note for Phoenix, who were down just 87-84 moving into the fourth.
The two sides battled down to the wire of the final 12 minutes – where it again came down to Durant sinking a clutch shot to push Phoenix to a win – this time coming at the top of the key with 16 seconds remaining.
A Herro layup with ten seconds left drew Miami’s deficit back to two. On the ensuing end, Booker missed his first free throw before narrowly making the second try, pushing the Suns’ lead to 115-112 with under five seconds to play.
The Heat were unable to get a respectable shot off at the buzzer, seeing Phoenix exit the buzzer with a victory.
Notable Performances
Kevin Durant: 32 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST
Devin Booker: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST
Jusuf Nurkic: 20 PTS, 18 REB, 2 BLK
Grayson Allen: 12 PTS
Tyler Herro: 28 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST
Jimmy Butler: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST
What’s Next?
The Suns are on the road Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
Miami, FL
Inter Miami’s Record-Breaking MLS Season: By the Numbers
Lofty expectations were already set when Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joined former Barcelona coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino at Inter Miami in the summer 2023 transfer window to elevate the Herons as the best team in Major League Soccer.
Add Luis Suárez to the frontline alongside eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and Miami went on to enjoy the best regular season in MLS history in 2024. While Miami’s postseason finish remains up in the air, Messi and Co. propelled the south Florida side to greatness in the form of the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS single-season points record.
With 74 points collected through 34 matches played, the Herons surpassed the 73 points set by the New England Revolution in 2021. However, Miami will hope to go on to lift MLS Cup later this year unlike the Revolution, who fell in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals to NYCFC.
Here’s Miami’s 2024 record breaking season by the numbers.
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Miami, FL
3 women shot in Miami: Police
Three women were shot early Wednesday in Miami, police said.
It happened at around 12:25 a.m. at 547 NW 19th Street, according to Miami police.
Units responded to three women shot. One of the victims was in critical condition, and the other two were stable, authorities said.
The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
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