Nikola Jovic was one of the biggest surprises of last year’s playoffs, confirming the hype surrounding him even after a frustrating regular season. The 22-year-old forward recorded a personal best of 24 points in Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking his highest scoring output in any game last season. This remarkable performance cemented his legacy of rising to the occasion and most significantly impacting the game when it counted the most.
He spent most of the regular season in a limited role, but did manage to score a career-high 10.7 points per game. He fractured his throwing hand index bone on Feb. 23. Unfortunately, it meant he appeared in just 46 total games that year. Once he was healed, he quickly soared back on the court for playoffs. He started all four games of the first-round series with the Cavaliers, who went on to defeat the Heat.
In the postseason, Jovic averaged just 9.5 points despite 18.5 minutes of action per game. His poise and confidence belied a rookie learning how to survive in the piranha pool that is playoff basketball. That’s why the Heat selected him with the No. 27 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. With his debut at 19 years and 139 days of age, he became the second-youngest player in franchise history, after Dorell Wright.
Even taking into account his disappointing minutes lost to his injury, Jovic has impressed. Over his seven-year career with the Heat, he’s appeared in 107 out of 246 games possible. This record demonstrates his deep dedication to R&D and his willingness to tackle new challenges.
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