Overview
- Pressed into the lineup against Boston, the 19-year-old logged 17 points, six rebounds and four assists in nearly 36 minutes during a 129-116 loss.
- All five of his made field goals were three-pointers, making him the first Heat rookie to record at least 15 points, five rebounds and five threes in his first career start.
- A night earlier in Brooklyn, he played eight meaningful minutes, hit his first regular-season field goal from deep and received the game ball after Miami snapped a five-game skid.
- Erik Spoelstra praised his toughness, defensive competitiveness and improved playmaking and shooting, saying he is with the NBA group now because he “makes things happen.”
- His opportunity stems from backcourt absences that included Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic, while his strong G League stint (16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.3 steals over eight games) set the stage.