When Delon Wright eventually got the chance to make his Miami Heat debut, he rushed to social media to thank the team for the chance.
Wright was bought out by the Washington Wizards and signed with the Heat earlier this month amid a lull in their schedule. He didn’t participate in their Friday night game against the New Orleans Pelicans, but he was obviously needed when they played the Sacramento Kings on Monday.Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, and Thomas Bryant were not available for the Heat because they were serving NBA suspensions for their involvement in a brawl with the Pelicans during the game’s fourth quarter. Due to injury, Miami was also without Josh Richardson, Orlando Robinson, Terry Rozier, and Tyler Herro.As a result of all of that, Wright was added to the starting lineup and ended up participating in over 35 minutes of the 121-110 away win. In addition to his 13 points, he had five assists.
The 31-year-old played more than 20 minutes in a single game only twice since Christmas, averaging less than 14 minutes per game in his 33 games with the Wizards this season.
Butler and Jovic should be available to play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday as they were each given a one-game suspension. Bryant’s three-game suspension is still owed for two more games.
Herro is said to have escaped a catastrophic knee injury, but it’s unclear when he’ll be cleared to return to action. Rozier is still sidelined while he heals from his knee injury.
This may present Wright with even more possibilities to see the field and an opportunity to establish himself with his new squad. Since his brother Dorell was a member of the Heat from the 2004–05 season to the 2009–10 campaign, he was already acquainted with the team.
The Heat have managed to put together a 32-25 record that is good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference despite having to start thirty different starting lines in their 57 games this season. With so many contributors on the Heat, Delon Wright appears like he is ready to fit right in and do all he can to help the cause anytime he is asked to do so.