Heat Guard Dru Smith Sustained Calf Injury
The 28-year-old guard will miss the remainder of the team's training camp and upcoming exhibition schedule.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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Miami Heat guard Dru Smith has been sidelined with a strained right calf injury sustained during practice. The 28-year-old player is expected to miss multiple weeks of activity.
Why it matters
The injury leaves the Heat thin at the point guard position just as the team prepares to enter its five-game exhibition schedule. The franchise is already looking to bolster its roster depth to compensate for the loss.
Dru Smith, 28, will miss the entire five-game exhibition schedule following his calf injury. The team currently holds no additional point guard depth, though they plan to sign Dennis Smith Jr. to a camp tryout.
The players
Dru Smith
He is a 28-year-old guard for the Miami Heat who has previously dealt with Achilles and knee injuries.
Dennis Smith Jr.
He is a professional basketball player whom the Miami Heat intend to sign to a camp tryout.
The details
Smith suffered the injury while attempting a back cut during a practice session at Florida Atlantic University on Wednesday. The Miami Heat, currently holding training camp in Boca Raton, are forced to adjust their rotations immediately as they prepare for Saturday's game against the Toronto Raptors.
Timeline
Wednesday: Smith suffered the calf injury during practice.
Friday: Training camp concludes.
Saturday: The Heat open their exhibition schedule against Toronto.
Within one to two weeks: The Heat expect additional point guard depth.
Season Trajectory
This injury forces the Heat to navigate the start of their exhibition schedule without a key depth piece, impacting their ability to evaluate the full roster. The team must now look for immediate solutions, such as the planned tryout for Dennis Smith Jr., to maintain rotation stability.
The absence of Smith guarantees more playing time for other guards during the five-game exhibition slate. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor the upcoming tryout for Dennis Smith Jr. as it signals a shift in the team's depth chart hierarchy.
The takeaway
Maintaining depth remains critical for teams navigating the physical toll of an intensive training camp schedule. Players and staff continue to adjust their preparation strategies to mitigate the impact of unexpected injuries.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Basketball section.
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