Goran Dragic Injury: Updates on Heat Guard's Hand and Return

Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic suffered an injury to his left hand against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 22 but is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Dragic Active vs. Pelicans

Friday, Dec. 25

The Heat announced Dragic will play against New Orleans.

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How Dragic Return Impacts Heat

The Heat acquired Dragic in a three-team trade that involved the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans last year. He became a key figure after star forward Chris Bosh was diagnosed with blood clots on his lung and missed the second half of the season. Dragic averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 assists in 26 games with the Heat before re-signing on a five-year, $90 million deal in the offseason.

While Dragic's numbers are down this year—he's averaging his fewest points per game (11.3) since 2010-11—the Heat have also employed a balanced offense, and the team has had polarizing identities at times, especially earlier in the year as Dragic and Dwyane Wade continued to learn to play in unison.

Dragic wants to push the pace and hit teams on the break after defensive stops, while Wade wants to methodically break down opposing defenses and post up smaller guards.

Despite some hiccups incorporating both styles, Dragic remains a key playmaker on a talented but shallow Heat roster. Keeping players such as Dragic, Bosh, Wade, Luol Deng and Justise Winslow healthy is the only shot Miami has of reaching the playoffs this season after missing the postseason last year.