The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls face Friday’s NBA Cup matchup with key players sidelined, potentially reshaping rotations and game plans at the United Center.
Miami will be without Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), Nikola Jovic (right hip impingement), Terry Rozier (not with team), and Andrew Wiggins (left hip flexor), while two-way player Myron Gardner is listed as questionable and Vladislav Goldin is out with G League assignment. Dru Smith remains available after a right knee contusion.
Chicago enters the game missing Zach Collins (left scaphoid fracture) and Emanuel Miller (G League – two-way), with Tre Jones (left ankle impingement) and Coby White (right calf strain; injury management) listed as questionable. Jalen Smith is probable with a right pectoralis strain. Several Bulls players, including Trentyn Flowers and Emanuel Miller, are unavailable due to G League assignments.
Miami’s statistical leaders include Norman Powell averaging 25.4 points, Bam Adebayo with 19.9 points and 8.0 rebounds, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributing 16.8 points per game. Dru Smith has added 3.3 assists per contest, while Davion Mitchell leads with 7.3 assists.
Chicago’s scoring is paced by Josh Giddey at 20.8 points per game and 9.7 assists, with Nikola Vucevic posting 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu adding 15.6 points per contest. Matas Buzelis contributes across multiple categories, averaging 14.7 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Both teams come off back-to-back wins, with Miami defeating the Warriors 110-96 on November 19 and edging the Knicks 115-113 on November 17. Chicago rallied past the Trail Blazers 122-121 on November 19 and narrowly beat the Nuggets 130-127 on November 17.
Miami holds a 9-6 record, while Chicago is 8-6, setting up a tightly contested matchup. Both teams have yet to meet this season, making Friday’s game the first head-to-head encounter in the 2025-26 NBA Cup.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET at the United Center.
