NBA announces awkward homecoming game for Tyler Herro

The NBA released its schedule for the 2026-27 season Thursday, locking the dates for many players who changed teams this year to visit their old teams.

Some of these players, like Naz Reid of the Charlotte Hornets, should get a big ovation when he returns to play the Minnesota Timberwolves Jan. 29. Others, like Tyler Herro of the Milwaukee Bucks, are looking at a frosty reception.

Tyler Herro burned bridges with Miami Heat fans

By all accounts, Tyler Herro had a successful beginning of his career with the Miami Heat. He reached the NBA Finals as a rookie in 2020, putting up 37 points in an Eastern Conference Finals win. Herro won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021-22, made the All-Star team in 2024-25 and saw his team reach the Finals again in 2023 when he was out with a knee injury.

However, things seemed to sour between Herro and the Heat last season. The team declined to give Herro a contract extension and injuries limited the guard to playing in just 11 of the team's first 56 games. He was prominently featured in trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo during the season and later became the centerpiece of the deal that sent the Greek Freak to South Beach.

Then Herro allegedly made disparaging comments about Heat teammate Bam Adebayo on an Instagram burner account. During Summer League in Las Vegas, Adebayo reportedly confronted Herro about his comments and punched him in the face.