Heat’s Dru Smith expected to miss weeks with right calf strain

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a right calf strain, according to Anthony Chiang’s October 1 report.

The injury happened late in Wednesday’s practice, September 30, Chiang reported.

What Smith and Spoelstra said

In an interview reported by Zachary Weinberger, Smith said he felt his calf after taking a large backward step as he began a back cut. He described the initial news as encouraging, while expressing frustration about the timing.

Coach Erik Spoelstra characterized the injury as “minor,” according to Weinberger. That is the coach’s assessment, rather than a confirmed return date.

Preseason implications

Ira Winderman reported that Smith would miss Friday’s final training-camp session and most, possibly all, of Miami’s preseason schedule.

October 4 update: Miami opened preseason with a 129–105 win over Toronto at Québec City’s Videotron Centre on October 3. Read the opener recap.

The reported absence is an estimate. Those reports do not establish a fixed clearance date or confirm Smith’s availability for the regular-season opener.

October 2 update: another Heat injury

Miami also expects forward Keshad Johnson to miss a few weeks with a right hamstring strain, Anthony Chiang reported Friday, October 2. In the same update, Chiang said Smith remains out for a few weeks with his calf strain. Neither timetable establishes a specific return date.