Orlando Robinson, an undrafted rookie center, suffered a fracture to his right thumb, which the Miami Heat confirmed on Wednesday. Robinson is anticipated to miss several weeks of work.
Robinson finished with three points and three rebounds in 10:41 of action during Tuesday night’s 100-97 away victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, including 4:27 in the second half.
Robinson stated that he thinks the injury occurred in the third quarter when Cleveland power forward Evan Mobley swatted an entry pass out of his hand.
Since veteran big man Dewayne Dedmon was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team after he exchanged words with coach Erik Spoelstra during the team’s Jan. 10 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Robinson has been the only backup to starting center Bam Adebayo.
Due to rookie big man Nikola Jovic’s back spasms and second-year center Omer Yurtseven’s recent return to contact practice following an ankle surgery in November, the Heat’s center depth has been severely reduced.
The club captain Udonis Haslem, 42, and tiny players like Haywood Highsmith or Jamal Cain, who is also on a two-way contract, are the Heat’s current center choices if they choose not to go with Dedmon, who started the season as Adebayo’s main backup.
