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Heat's Tyler Herro Makes Admission on Demotion After NBA All-Star Break

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Debayan Biswas | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 11:12 AM ET

The Miami Heat returned from the All-Star break searching for rhythm and health. After securing back-to-back victories against the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, it seems they might have done just that, especially with Tyler Herro stepping up from the bench.

Herro, back after missing a month with a rib injury, has embraced a reserve role as Miami tries to build momentum and climb out of the play-in portion of the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat have won three straight for the first time this calendar year, and Herro’s adjustment has been part of that shift.

According to Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman, Herro said, “I’m coming off the bench right now, and it doesn’t really feel like I’m out of place, because we got guys that can start and I’m comfortable in my role and in myself. So I’m happy where I’m at.”

That tone marks a change in what has been a stop-and-start season. Herro missed the first 17 games following ankle surgery in September. He later dealt with toe and rib injuries. In total, he has appeared in just 13 games. The lack of continuity left him out of rhythm, prompting coach Erik Spoelstra to ease him back in as a reserve rather than immediately reinstalling him in the starting lineup.

The early returns have been promising.

Herro played 23 minutes in his return at Atlanta, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He followed that with 14 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 23 minutes against Memphis. Miami won both games by a combined 47 points, looking freer offensively and more balanced in its rotations.

“Right now we’re just trying to get him out there,” Spoelstra said. “We are going to manage the minutes. I’m not overthinking it. We just want everybody to pour into the team, pour into the role, don’t overthink things at this point.”

The move also addresses fit. Herro and Norman Powell had overlapping skill sets in the starting unit. Bringing one off the bench could stabilize both groups. For now, Spoelstra has kept rookie Kasparas Jakucionis in the starting lineup, continuing a season marked by constant adjustments.

Herro’s long-term future in Miami has been monitored around the league, especially with $33 million owed next season and prior trade discussions. However, the Heat cannot move him now, and his focus remains on availability.

“I just want to get out here and play with the whole team, get comfortable, and just stack some healthy games together,” Herro said. “Just try to play a stretch of games where I’m healthy. That’s all that’s on my mind.”

For a team chasing postseason positioning, that may be enough. If Herro can regain rhythm and accept the role that best fits Miami’s current structure, the Heat could unlock their most stable stretch of the season just in time for the playoff push.

The Heat visit the Milwaukee Bucks at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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