Heat Rumors: Tyler Herro Could Return from Hand Injury as Early as Game 2 vs. Nuggets

The Miami Heat could get guard Tyler Herro back for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

"I'm told that Game 2 on Sunday looms as a possibility for Tyler Herro," Wojnarowski said Thursday on NBA Today.

Herro has not played since Game 1 of the first round on April 16, when he broke his hand diving for a ball against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"If not Sunday, then Game 3 on Wednesday back in Miami, I think barring a setback there's confidence Tyler Herro will be able to return then," Wojnarowski said.

The Heat tip off against the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday at 8:30 pm ET.

Herro, who averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season, underwent surgery on his broken hand on April 21.

Just before the surgery, Herro said he hoped to be healthy in time to return for the Finals, per the Associated Press.

"That's the hope," Herro said April 18. "Get to the Finals and I can get back for that."

Herro has been reportedly ramping up workouts but was ruled out for Game 1 by head coach Erik Spoelstra on Wednesday. Spoelstra said the next step in recovery is to test out how Herro's healed hand can take contact.

"He will not play tomorrow. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves right now. He's still just starting this process," Spoelstra told reporters. "We do have a few days here just to continue his work. I can't even make any kind of proclamation until he takes these next important steps, and that's with contact, and doing things more on the court, live. We'll just see."

Bench players such as Caleb Martin have stepped up in Herro's absence, allowing the Heat to knock out the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics while missing a key starting guard. The return of Herro, who powers Miami's offense alongside Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, could improve the Heat's chances of becoming the first No. 8 seed in NBA history to claim a title.