Overview
- Adebayo has missed two straight games with lower-back soreness and said it reached a point where he had to sit after playing through a nagging issue.
- Spoelstra described the flare-up as the result of overcompensation and said Adebayo "really needed this time," noting daily progress.
- Asked about facing Denver on Dec. 29, Adebayo said, "We’ll see tomorrow. I don’t know," keeping his availability unresolved.
- Miami is 2-0 in his absence with wins over the Hawks and Pacers as Pelle Larsson (18.5 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds over two games) and Nikola Jovic (14.5 points, 5.5 assists, 7 rebounds) expanded their roles.
- The setback follows a recent slump for Adebayo—13.6 points on 42.9% shooting and 1-for-17 from three over his last seven games—after he previously missed six November contests with a toe sprain.