Heat's Herro, Powell ruled out for Raptors clash

Miami's top scorers sidelined due to injuries ahead of key Eastern Conference matchup

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court rendered in sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, creating a dynamic, abstract composition.Injuries to star players Herro and Powell force the Heat to adapt their strategy against the Raptors in a crucial Eastern Conference clash.Today in Miami

The Miami Heat will be without two of their top players, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, when they take on the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. Herro is dealing with a sprained ankle, while Powell is out with a hamstring issue, leaving the Heat shorthanded for this key Eastern Conference matchup.

Why it matters

The Heat are fighting for playoff positioning in the East, and losing Herro and Powell, who combine to average over 35 points per game, is a significant blow. The Raptors are also in the playoff hunt, so this game could have major implications for the postseason picture.

The details

Herro suffered a sprained ankle in Miami's previous game against the Washington Wizards and will not suit up against the Raptors. Powell has been dealing with a hamstring injury and was ruled out as well. Both players are key contributors to the Heat's offense, with Herro averaging 20.1 points per game and Powell adding 15.4 points per contest.

  • Herro was injured in Miami's game against the Wizards on April 5.
  • Powell has been dealing with the hamstring issue for the past week.

The players

Tyler Herro

A 23-year-old guard who is in his fourth season with the Miami Heat and has emerged as one of the team's top scorers.

Norman Powell

A 29-year-old guard who was acquired by the Heat in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season and has provided a scoring boost off the bench.

Toronto Raptors

An NBA team based in Toronto, Ontario, that is currently in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Losing Tyler and Norman is tough, but we have to find a way to get it done against a good Raptors team.”

— Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach, Miami Heat

What’s next

The Heat will need to rely on other players to step up in the absence of Herro and Powell. The team's playoff positioning could be impacted by the outcome of this game against the Raptors.

The takeaway

Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances, especially in tight playoff races. The Heat will have to find a way to overcome the loss of their top scorers and find other contributors to keep pace in the Eastern Conference standings.