Miami Heat-New Orleans Pelicans Injury Update: Several key players' statuses revealed

There were a few surprising changes made to the injury report for Sunday's matchup.

Nov 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) celebrates with guard Pelle Larsson (9) against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat announced that Tyler Herro is now available for Sunday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing the last 10 games with a toe contusion. However, he is not expected to play

Erik Spoelstra on Tyler Herro: "He's still day to day and I don't have an exact date when he'll be ready."

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) January 4, 2026

Additionally, guard/forward Pelle Larsson (ankle) will also make his return after missing the last two, while forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) will not play, with forward Nikola Jović (groin) also available.

Here's the rest of the injury report and game preview:

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INJURY REPORT

HEAT

Tyler Herro: Available - Toe

Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Out - Ankle

Pelle Larsson: Available - Ankle

Nikola Jović: Available - Groin

Keshad Johnson: Out - G League

Jahmir Young: Out - G League

Vladislav Goldin: Out - G League

Terry Rozier: Out - Not with team

PELICANS

Trey Murphy: Questionable - Back

Derik Queen: Questionable - Quadriceps

Herb Jones: Out - Ankle

Saddiq Bey: Out - Hip

Dejounte Murray: Out - Achilles

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Game date, time and location: Sunday, Jan. 4, 6:00 p.m. EST, Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida

TV: TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (South Florida), Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (New Orleans)

Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) 870 AM/105.3 FM, 105.7 FM (New Orleans)

VITALS: The Miami Heat (19-16) and New Orleans Pelicans (8-28) meet for the first of two regular season matchups. Last season, Miami swept the series, 2-0, and has currently won nine of the last 10 overall against New Orleans. The Heat are 28-21 all-time versus New Orleans during the regular season, including 18-7 in home games and 10-14 in road games.

PROJECTED STARTERS

HEAT

G Davion Mitchell

G Norman Powell

C Kel'el Ware

F Andrew Wiggins

F Bam Adebayo

PELICANS

G Jeremiah Fears

G Jordan Poole

C Yves Missi

F Bryce McGowens

F Zion Williamson

Betting Lines (via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Spread: Heat -9 (-110), Pelicans +9 (-110)

Moneyline: Heat -370, Pelicans +295

Total points scored: 247.5 (over -106, under -114)

QUOTABLE

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the slower pace against Minnesota: “They were pressuring up so we didn't have as many advance passes to that, but we knew that if we're facing their half-court defense repeatedly that it's going to be, not an impossible night, you still have to find a way in that type of game, but there won't be that fluidity, and if it is going to be in the half-court, then we need to do things with great purpose and force."

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For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.

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Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket