Warriors star warns Heat about bringing back injured guard

Green called it "a very dicey thing" to bring back Herro, because he hasn't played in a game since April 16. He explained, "He's too talented not to bring back, but I wouldn't slot him into rotation."

The Heat have gone 12-6 since Herro's injury, which has robbed them of Herro's offense - he scored 20.1 points per game this year - but strengthened their defense, with Caleb Martin taking many of Herro's minutes and eventually replacing him in the starting lineup.

Green argues that Miami shouldn't mess with the "rhythm" they developed with Herro on the bench. In fact, he'd only play Herro if the team loses both games in Denver.

"What I'm going to save Tyler Herro for is when we need a spark," Green continued. "Say you go down 2-0. Tyler comes in, he gets it going. That can change everything for you."

Herro broke his right hand in the first game of Miami's first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, and had surgery that looked like it would keep him out for the postseason. But after Miami's three straight upsets took them to the Finals, Herro has a chance to return.

Last week, Herro was cleared to begin basketball activities. He won't play in Game 1, but he's apparently "ramping up" his contact.

But playing the rusty Herro is an emergency move that should be saved for a dire situation. After all, if a Heat player gets benched for Herro, and he plays badly, Coach Eric Spoelstra has hurt the confidence of both players.

Miami faced this in the 2020 NBA Finals when point guard Goran Dragic returned from a foot injury for Game 6. It didn't work. The Heat trailed by 28 at halftime and got eliminated.

Herro's a talented player. But the Heat should heed Green's advice and save him for when they're truly desperate.