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Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat will miss the start of the season.

Miami Heat‘s All-Star guard Tyler Herro kept his spirits high in the face of devastating news. Hours after word broke that the All-Star underwent left foot surgery that will sideline him eight weeks, Herro shared a message of resilience with his fans.

“Everything happens for a reason, 🙏🏻❤️,” Herro tweeted, signaling optimism even as his absence threatens to derail Miami’s early-season plans.

The timing could hardly be worse for the Heat. Herro, 25, is coming off his first All-Star campaign and was preparing for contract extension talks that could shape his long-term future in Miami.

Herro’s injury comes after a career season in which he averaged 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He evolved into Miami’s primary ball-handler and playmaker, especially after Jimmy Butler forced a trade last season.

Losing Herro so close to opening night is a significant blow. The Heat’s first eight games include six on the road and a grueling West Coast swing. Eleven of their first 15 opponents reached the playoffs last season, making the road even tougher without their top scorer.

Powell Steps Into the Spotlight

With Herro sidelined, newly acquired guard Norman Powell will be asked to take on a larger role. Powell, 32, averaged over 20 points for the first time in his career last season and has long been seen as a player on the cusp of stardom.

NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner wrote recently that Powell could be primed for an All-Star breakthrough in Miami, thanks to his efficient 41.9% shooting from beyond the arc and his ability to attack off the dribble. Spoelstra will likely lean on Powell heavily in the early going to fill Herro’s scoring void.

Heat May Look to Youth

Herro’s absence could also force Spoelstra to test rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis as a playmaker. The 19-year-old Lithuanian may not be ready for major NBA minutes, but his passing instincts could provide a spark in relief. Miami will also need Butler and Adebayo to absorb more offensive responsibility until Herro returns.

Contract Questions Remain

Herro’s recovery also overlaps with critical contract discussions. He becomes eligible on Oct. 1 for a three-year, $149.7 million extension.

“I would love to be here, but we’ll see what happens,” Herro said at his exit conference. “If it doesn’t get done in October, I think we can get it done next summer. It’ll just be a little bit higher in price.”

If the two sides cannot reach a deal, Herro will remain under team control until 2026, when he could seek a four-year extension projected at $206.9 million.

Heat president Pat Riley has already expressed hope for a long-term partnership. “I hope he can stay here the rest of his career,” Riley said following his team’s last season’s first-round exit.

A Long Road Ahead

Herro’s tweet reminded fans and teammates of his resilience, but the Heat now face a daunting start without their All-Star guard. If Miami can stay afloat until December, Herro’s return could arrive just in time to stabilize their playoff push. Until then, the Heat will have to rally around Powell, Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins while waiting for their young star to heal.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo