Miami Heat Lose Center To Thumb Fracture

A tough break for the Miami Heat, as they've lost a key component of their rotation for an unknown period, announcing that backup center Orlando Robinson has suffered a fractured thumb.

Heat backup center Orlando Robinson is out with thumb fracture. So there yet could be Dewayne Dedmon time again.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 1, 2023

Robinson, on a two-day deal, has been more than the Heat could have imagined, filling a key role backing up Bam Adebayo at the five. Dewayne Dedmon fell out of favor with head coach Erik Spoelstra last month (perhaps due to this bizarre incident in the middle of play during a game), and Robinson has stepped in admirably. 

The 22-year-old undrafted 7-footer out of Fresno State has been playing 14.4 minutes per game, and has the best defensive rating on the team over the course of the season (for players with more than five games played), at 108.2. And in the last five games, it's been even better, at an astounding 102.

Overall, he's averaging 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in those 14 minutes, while shooting over 52% from the field. 

The Heat are now very thin at the center position, and have been rumored to be looking for another backup big on the trade market. They've been linked to a New Orleans Pelicans big man, and a Milwaukee Bucks center; perhaps, depending upon the severity of Robinson's injury, they could step up that search.

Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports