Heat Injury Update: Jaime Jaquez Jr’s Confession Increases Erik Spoelstra’s Trouble Despite Negative X-Rays on Ankle

Without their star player, Jimmy Butler the Miami Heat persevered to take on the Indiana Pacers . The Heat's troubles don't seem to be ending. Between injuries and Erik Spoelstra committing errors, the Heat desperately needs some relief. But only worries so far for the Heat. After falling 119-110 to Indiana, the Heat's problems only keep growing, with new injury concerns emerging post-game. The Heat hit plenty of threes but struggled with their two-point shots. What could've been a balanced .500 trip turned into a disappointing loss.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. left the Heat's game against the Pacers early after suffering an ankle injury and did not return, the team confirmed.

The injury happened in the third quarter during Miami's loss. Before exiting, Jaquez had two points, three rebounds, and four assists in 15 minutes of play.

With a back-to-back game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, Jaquez's status for that matchup remains unclear. So far this season, the second-year forward from UCLA has stayed mostly healthy, missing only three games due to illness.

After a strong rookie campaign, Heat fans are hopeful that Jaime Jaquez will continue to improve this season. He played in 75 games last year, starting 20 of them, and earned a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie Team. Jaquez averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals, with shooting splits of 48.9 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.1 percent at the free-throw line.

The good news for Jaquez is that X-rays came back clear, showing no additional damage to his right ankle. He's expected to miss Monday's game against the 76ers, but the Heat's next game isn't until Sunday, Nov. 24, when they face the Dallas Mavericks . So, Jaquez might only miss one game. His absence means more opportunities for Duncan Robinson , Nikola Jovic, and Josh Richardson to get playing time off the bench. Alec Burks, who hasn't played in the last five games, might also get a chance to join the rotation.