Heat guard Tyler Herro revealed after Miami’s 105-104 win over Sacramento on Saturday that he learned a housemate has tested positive for COVID-19
He said he got that news at halftime and was uncertain if he will have to quarantine because of possible exposure. His revelation came on the same night All-Star forward Jimmy Butler returned after missing 10 games because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols established for safe play during the coronavirus pandemic. Butler scored a season-high 30 points after missing 12 of Miami’s 18 games because of virus-related issues, as the Heat ended a five-game losing streak.
Also on Saturday, the Heat didn’t play Kendrick Nunn because he was awaiting a COVID-19 test result when the game started. Nunn was cleared by the second quarter and could have played, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra elected to not use him.
“We were waiting for his test results,” Spoelstra said, as quoted by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “At that point he wasn’t available in the first quarter, so I went a different direction. . . . It’s just one of those unfortunate things. I guess if those type of things are going to happen, it’ll happen to us.”
Herro had 15 points and three assists for the Heat, who were also without Goran Dragic and used their 14th lineup in 19 games this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.