Luol Deng Injury: Updates on Heat Star's Calf and Return
Forward Luol Deng has been a solid addition for the Miami Heat this season, although the rigors of the NBA season are taking their toll on him once again. Deng missed his third consecutive game Sunday due to a nagging calf injury, but returned on Tuesday vs. Detroit.
Continue for updates.
Deng Returns vs. Pistons
Tuesday, Feb. 3
The Miami Heat confirmed Deng would start against the Pistons on Tuesday.
Deng Suffers Calf Injury
Sunday, Feb. 1
The Heat announced Deng's status for Sunday's game against the Celtics while also providing a statement from Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra:
Miami lost earlier this week against the Bucks on Jan. 27 and against the Mavericks on Jan. 30. Deng was absent for both games.
Deng's first season in Miami has been an interesting one to say the least. Life after LeBron James hasn't been easy for the Heat, and Deng has somewhat unfairly been on the receiving end of criticism.
This is despite the fact that his numbers haven't been very far off his career averages. According to Chris Towers of CBSSports.com, Deng has essentially been as good as advertised:
With that said, Deng has been limited at times this season due to injury. A hand ailment forced him to leave a Dec. 3 game against the Atlanta Hawks. Luckily for the Heat, there were no breaks, per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
Deng didn't play in Miami's next contest against the Milwaukee Bucks, but he was back in action soon after.
Aside from that, Deng also came down with an illness in January that caused him to miss a Jan. 21 tilt with the Charlotte Hornets:
Along with the injury issues, Deng's name has been in the news quite often due to trade speculation. With the Heat struggling to compete in the Eastern Conference, many figured that the organization might consider dealing him.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Memphis Grizzlies attempted to acquire Deng's services at one point:
Many questioned if Deng wanted out of town with Miami playing less-than-stellar basketball, but he insisted that he was happy with his situation, per Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post.
"I've had no issues. My whole thing this year has been trying to get it right. It's never been that I'm unhappy. Just because there are trade rumors—I'm not the one asking for a trade. ... I'm not the one starting the rumors or whatever's going on. I know just as much as you, honestly.
"
With nothing coming to fruition on the trade front, the focus certainly shifts toward Deng's health. Aside from Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, it is difficult to deny that Deng is the most important factor in Miami's success moving forward.
Deng is a skilled, versatile player, and it will undoubtedly be difficult for the Heat to replace his production. With Wade out indefinitely, the Heat need Deng healthy as soon as possible.
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