Dru Smith's Calf Strain Clouds Miami's Preseason Opener

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Friday, October 2

Dru Smith strained his calf during camp and is now questionable, with an estimated return of October 16 that would cost him Miami's preseason trip to Toronto. The Heat, still 0-0, open their preseason slate Saturday against the Raptors before the October 21 regular-season opener against Minnesota.

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Smith Sidelined

Dru Smith strained his calf during training camp, the Miami Herald reported, and is now listed questionable with an estimated return of October 16. That timeline wipes out Miami's preseason trip to Toronto and beyond. Ryan Conwell, who had his own camp injury scare, has been cleared to play.

Opener In Toronto

Miami's preseason opens Saturday at the Raptors on NBA TV. Toronto went 46-36 last season under Darko Rajakovic, led by Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, and lists six players as questionable for camp, including Jamison Battle and Kyle Anderson. Miami follows with preseason games against New Orleans, Minnesota and Brooklyn before the real opener.

Fontecchio's Hot Stretch

Simone Fontecchio closed last season shooting 70.8 percent true shooting over his final ten games, well above his season-long number. The sample is small, and camp has not settled whether that stretch earns him a bigger role once games count.

Gardner's Return Date

Myron Gardner's ankle injury carries an estimated return of October 3, Miami's preseason opener. Whether he actually plays in Toronto is still unanswered.

Bottom Line

Miami sits 0-0 with camp unresolved on two injury fronts and three weeks from an opener that counts. Health, not scheme, decides how sharp this group looks before Minnesota visits October 21.

Is Dru Smith playing in the Heat's preseason opener?

No. Smith strained his calf during training camp and is listed questionable, with an estimated return of October 16 — well after Saturday's game at Toronto.

When do the Miami Heat play their first preseason game?

Miami opens its preseason Saturday, October 3, at the Toronto Raptors on NBA TV, with the regular-season opener set for October 21 against Minnesota.