Basketball player Haywood Highsmith from the Heat team is anticipated to be out between 8 to 10 weeks following his recent knee surgery.
Miami Heat's Haywood Highsmith Faces 8-10 Week Recovery After Knee Surgery
Haywood Highsmith, the 28-year-old wing for the Miami Heat, is set to undergo a 8-10 week recovery period following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The surgery, performed by team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick, took place in early August 2025.
This timeline means Highsmith is likely to miss the start of training camp and potentially the beginning of the 2025-26 regular season. With the Heat's season scheduled to begin on October 21, 2025, Highsmith's recovery window puts him close to or possibly after the regular season tip-off.
Highsmith's absence during the critical offseason development period and early season may affect his role and minutes with the Heat, especially given the competition from other wings like Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Prior to joining the Heat, Highsmith played in 100 G League games and spent the 2020-21 season in the German Basketball Bundesliga. He signed a three-year deal with the Heat after an impressive performance at Wheeling University, averaging 2.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 34.8% field goal percentage.
Highsmith has made significant strides in his role with the Heat, setting career highs in games played (74), starts (42), minutes per game (24.6), points (6.5), assists (1.5), rebounds (3.4), field goal percentage (45.8%), and 3-point percentage (38.2%).
The Heat currently have 14 players signed to standard contracts, with one open standard roster spot since the regular-season limit is 15 players on standard contracts. Myron Gardner and Vlad Goldin are signed to two-way contracts by the Heat. The third two-way contract slot remains open and could potentially be filled by a training camp player.
Per Spotrac, Highsmith is owed $5.6 million in the second and final year of his contract in the upcoming season, set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Despite this setback, Highsmith is preparing to enter his sixth NBA season with the Heat.
The Miami Heat organization wishes Highsmith a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to the court.
Assist: During his impressive performance at Wheeling University, Highsmith averaged 1.5 assists per game.
Basketball: Highsmith, before joining the Heat, played in 100 G League games and spent a season in the German Basketball Bundesliga, participating in international basketball competitions.
NBA, rebound, sports, football: Despite his absence due to knee surgery, Highsmith's impressive statistics in the NBA, such as career highs in rebounds (3.4) and minutes per game (24.6), prove his substantial contribution to the sports world, and depending on his recovery, he would also have an impact in the upcoming football offseason.
