Nikola Jovic continues to take ‘patient’ approach as he navigates life between Heat and Skyforce

As the Miami Heat continues to get healthier, Nikola Jovic’s chances of finding consistent playing time in the NBA any time soon continue to diminish. But more game action in the G League appears to be in the second-year forward’s future.

Jovic, 20, rejoined the Heat on Saturday following his second G League stint of the season with the organization’s developmental affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. During his two-game run with the Skyforce last week, Jovic averaged 16 points, 10 rebound 2.5 assists per game while shooting 9 of 29 (31 percent) from the field and 1 of 11 (9.1 percent) from three-point range.

The expectation is Jovic will return to the Skyforce on Tuesday to play in the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando, where the Heat will also be in the coming days to take on the Magic on Wednesday at Amway Center. The Skyforce will play two games at the Orange County Convention Center as part of the showcase, beginning with a matchup against the Raptors 905 on Tuesday.

Jovic is then expected to re-join the Heat in Orlando for Wednesday’s game against the Magic.

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“We want to get him game minutes, as much as possible,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about the team’s G League plan for Jovic ahead of Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center.

Those game minutes have not come with the Heat, as Jovic entered Monday with a total of just 48 NBA minutes played over four appearances this season. He has played in only two games with the Heat since Oct. 30.

Meanwhile, Jovic has already logged a total of 170 minutes over five games with the Skyforce during his first two G League stints this season. And more is coming.

“They’re patient, I’m patient,” Jovic said, referring to the Heat. “Of course, I want to play. That’s why I’m in the G League and I feel great out there. That’s it, as long as I can keep that rhythm.”

With Jovic’s intriguing combination of size and skill at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, the Heat continues to develop him as a forward. But as part of the Heat’s plan for Jovic, he has also played as a center in the G League this season.

“We want him to learn how to do both,” Spoelstra said of the decision to use Jovic at both frontcourt positions. “You become a basketball player, you’re a frontcourt player. It’s part of the development. I know where he can feel more comfortable now, I understand that, and we’re developing that. But I also want him to develop where he’s not as comfortable. That’s important, as well.”

Jovic, who the Heat drafted with the 27th overall pick out of Serbia last year, is still the youngest player on the roster at 20 years old despite being in his second NBA season. For perspective, Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. turns 23 four months before Jovic turns 21.

“We have to all fight against the microwave society,” Spoelstra said earlier this month when asked about Jovic’s development. “Everybody wants it to happen right now. I’m seeing progress and everybody’s trajectory is different, and that’s OK. But he’s making progress. We just want to get to work with him. He still is 20 years old, but you see the potential and the upside. In the meantime, he’s becoming more reliable when called upon if needed now.”

Jovic wants it to happen right now, too. But he’s trying to see the bigger picture.

“I feel like they believe in me, I believe in them,” Jovic said of the Heat. “So, we’ll see. Of course, there’s time. But also, I don’t want to take too much time and then be at a point where there’s no more time for me. I’m taking it step by step.”

DUNCAN’S RECORD

During Saturday’s home win over the Chicago Bulls, Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson became the fastest player in NBA history to make 900 career three-pointers. He reached that mark in his 305th regular-season game.

This isn’t really a new milestone for Robinson, as he also set the league record for the fewest regular-season games to reach 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 made threes. Now, he has his eyes set on the record for 1,000 threes.

“I’d like to get 1,000 and then we can put this to bed,” Robinson said with a grin following Monday’s morning shootaround. “But yeah, I was joking with them, if I get 200 through 800, I better get 900. But at this point, if I don’t get 1,000, then it would be a disappointment.

“But I think from there, then [Stephen Curry] went bonkers and I’m probably cooked after that. But yeah, it’s always a little moment to kind of reflect and just be appreciative of the journey and how far I’ve come throughout it all.”

While Robinson admits “it’s nice to still have that record,” he also understands “it doesn’t give us any more wins or anything like that.”

“So I try to keep the main thing the main thing with that,” he said.

LOWRY OUT

With Heat center Bam Adebayo and guard Tyler Herro making their returns, Heat guard Kyle Lowry will miss his second game of the season on Monday.

Lowry, who is the oldest player on the roster at 37 years old and has made a team-high 25 starts this season, played in 16 straight games before missing Monday’s matchup against the Timberwolves because of soreness.

Among the nine players around the NBA who entered Monday with at least one game appearance this season at age 37 or older, Lowry ranks second in total minutes played (746 minutes) behind only 38-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

The only other Heat player ruled out for Monday’s contest against the Timberwolves is guard Dru Smith, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in November.