Overview
- Nikola Jovic has missed four straight games and is already ruled out for Tuesday’s home meeting with the Nets.
- Scans revealed lower-back inflammation with a nerve concern, and Jovic received injections that brought only partial relief.
- He said he played through the issue earlier in the season before stopping when the pain began affecting everyday activities.
- Jovic traveled to Milwaukee last week but flew back to South Florida within a day after the back problem flared up, and there is no firm timetable for his return.
- His minutes and production have dipped this season, and the situation is being weighed against his October multi-year extension and a prior back stress reaction in 2022-23.