Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic was forced to leave the court with a splint-like device supporting his right arm after suffering a hard foul late in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors, which ended in a 106-96 loss for the Heat. The team later confirmed that Jovic had sustained an elbow injury.

The incident occurred just 12 seconds after Jovic entered the game. He received a pass and immediately drove toward the basket, attempting to make an aggressive play, when Toronto’s Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a high, hard foul that left Jovic falling awkwardly to the floor. The Heat’s training staff rushed to his side to provide immediate medical attention, and after a brief assessment on the court, Jovic was escorted to the locker room for further evaluation.

Jovic, 22, is currently in his fourth season with the Miami Heat, who selected him as a first-round draft pick in 2022. Since joining the team, the Serbian native has been gradually developing his game and increasing his contributions on both ends of the floor, earning minutes in crucial matchups and showing promise as a versatile forward.

The injury comes at a critical point in the Heat’s season, as the team navigates a challenging schedule and seeks to maintain its position in the playoff race. Head coach and staff have expressed concern over Jovic’s availability for upcoming games, noting that the Heat will monitor the severity of the elbow injury closely before making any decisions about his return.

Fans and analysts alike are closely watching Jovic’s situation, recognizing his potential impact on the Heat’s roster. While he is still early in his career, Jovic’s ability to stretch the floor, score in transition, and contribute defensively makes him a valuable piece for Miami, particularly during high-stakes games. The team is expected to provide further updates on his condition in the coming days, and his recovery timeline will likely influence the team’s rotation and strategy moving forward.

As of now, Jovic’s long-term prognosis remains unclear, but Miami remains hopeful that the young forward will recover quickly and return to action, continuing his development and contributing to the team’s push toward the postseason.