Heat's Wiggins Exits Game with Mouth Laceration, Expected to Return

Andrew Wiggins left Saturday's game against the Rockets after taking an elbow to the face.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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In the third quarter of Saturday's game between the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets, Heat forward Andrew Wiggins was elbowed in the face by Rockets center Alperen Şengün. Wiggins went to the locker room to receive stitches for a laceration inside his mouth, but the Heat have reported that he is expected to return to the game.

Why it matters

Wiggins is a key player for the Heat, and his injury could have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. The Heat are currently in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, so losing Wiggins for an extended period could be a major setback.

The details

Before exiting the game, Wiggins played 22 minutes, scoring 7 points and adding 5 rebounds and 1 assist. He was replaced by Jaime Jaquez Jr. The Heat have reported that Wiggins is currently receiving stitches for the laceration and is expected to return to the game.

  • In the third quarter of Saturday's game vs. the Rockets, Wiggins was elbowed in the face.

The players

Andrew Wiggins

A forward for the Miami Heat who suffered a laceration inside his mouth after being elbowed in the face during Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets.

Alperen Şengün

The Houston Rockets center who elbowed Andrew Wiggins in the face, causing the laceration that led to Wiggins leaving the game.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Miami Heat player who replaced Andrew Wiggins after he left the game with the injury.

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What they’re saying

“#HOUvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Andrew Wiggins left today's game vs the Rockets with a laceration inside of his mouth. He is currently receiving stitches and is expected to return to the game.”

— Miami HEAT (Twitter)

What’s next

The Heat will continue to monitor Wiggins' condition, and he will be evaluated further after the game to determine the extent of the injury and whether he will be able to return to the lineup in the near future.

The takeaway

Wiggins' injury is a concerning development for the Heat, who are in the midst of a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. However, the team's report that he is expected to return to the game is a positive sign, and his ability to quickly recover and rejoin the lineup will be crucial for the Heat's postseason aspirations.