All-Star Norman Powell battles lingering illness, detailing frustrating symptoms and his race back to help the Miami Heat secure a playoff spot.
With only five games left on the regular-season schedule, the Miami Heat are currently the 10-seed in the Eastern Conference standings, with no more room to fall. The team is coming off a 147-129 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, in which Norman Powell wasn’t available. The first-time All-Star has been sidelined for 11 of the previous 17 games, whether it be due to injuries or illness.
At Friday’s practice, Powell gave an update on his symptoms and availability:
“I’m feeling better,” he said. “It was a long week of being sick, out of it, fatigued, body aches, and not really being able to move or get out of bed. I’m feeling better now, even still here, I’m a little congested and stuff, but it feels good to be back in here and get some work in. Trying to get back as soon as possible.”
As the Heat prepares to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday afternoon, the 32-year-old told reporters that he will not be suiting up. Following the matchup, the team will prepare for a critical three-game road trip, twice against the Toronto Raptors, then end it at Washington, D.C., before turning home for the final game of the regular season against the Atlanta Hawks.
Powell is on pace to finish with a career season, averaging 22.1 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 38.4 percent from three-point range, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 55 games played. The 11-year veteran is ineligible for any regular-season awards. However, the latest extended absence from the court has grown to be a frustration for the former Toronto Raptors champion.
“Very Frustrating,” Powell added. “Wanting to continue to build, wanting to help the team do what we want. A mission getting out of the Play-In [Tournament] and everything like that. To come back from an injury, I work so hard to get back on the floor, then get taken out by some type of sickness, is definitely frustrating. The only thing I do, I practice really hard on just mental stability. Being stoic in my approach and controlling what I can control. Everything happens for a reason. It’s frustrating to have to accept missing games, watching my team in these games, knowing that you can help. Now, I’m just looking at how I can get back, focus on [the] road to recovery and get back in these games in Toronto and finish out the season.”
The Heat’s chances of claiming a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference are slim to none, but the least the team can do is gain momentum for the next step.
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