2 min read • March 13, 2022
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The Heat announced mid-day Saturday that power forward Markieff Morris will be available to play tonight against the Timberwolves after missing 4 months with neck whiplash.
Morris suffered the injury on a blindside shoulder check by 6'11" 285-pound Nikola Jokic late in the 18-point loss. Morris' neck whipped upon impact from Jokic, and he curled his body when he hit the ground.
The play drew a technical foul and a 1-game suspension for the Jokic, but cost the 32-year-old Morris 58 games.
Morris has spent much of the last 6 weeks reconditioning for the late-season push and playoffs, as he only played 10 games before before his season was upended.
He was averaging 7.7 points and 2.8 rebounds on 45.7% shooting in 18.7 minutes per game before the injury.
His absence opened the door for undrafted 23-year-old center Omer Yurtseven, who became a key rotation piece in December and January, but has fallen off after the return of Bam Adebayo.
Morris' return will give gritty Miami another physical wing defender with championship experience to throw at the likes of Khris Middleton, Kevin Durant, and DeMar DeRozan.
The Heat, 45-23, have a 2.5 game lead over the Bucks for the No. 1 seed in the East with 12 games left.
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