Rookie’s return could be key for surging Heat

The Miami Heat's season might hinge on how quickly they can bring a rookie back into the fold following an injury. 

Shooting guard/small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is one of the breakout rookie stars this season, but a recent slide with him sidelined has put his importance into sharper focus. 

After Jaquez suffered a groin injury in a 104-87 win over Charlotte on Jan. 14, the 6-foot-6 rookie from UCLA missed six games. The Heat went 1-5 during that stretch. 

The Heat have gone 4-3 since Jaquez's return on Jan. 27 against the New York Knicks and are 4-1 in their past five games. Miami is coming off back-to-back wins over the Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs heading into Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics. 

Jaquez's versatility in providing both backcourt and frontcourt depth has been a game-changer for the Heat. He is averaging 13 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 82.5 percent from the free-throw line. 

Understandably, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra has slow-played Jaquez's return from the groin injury. Jaquez averaged over 35 minutes in the 15 games leading up to his injury, but has not played more than 27 minutes in the seven games since his return and didn't score in double digits in the first five games after his return. 

Jaquez has scored in double digits in each of his past two games, with 12 points in the win over the Magic and 10 points in the win over the Spurs. 

Heading into Thursday's games, Miami (28-24) is seventh in the Eastern Conference, a game behind the Indiana Pacers and a half-game ahead of the Magic.