Pelle

Larsson

Adebayo is dealing with right groin tightness, and his absence frees up additional minutes for Nick Richards. With his contract for the upcoming season not being guaranteed unless he makes the Opening Night roster, this is a big opportunity for Richards. With Klay Thompson available, he’ll slide into the starting lineup spot Larsson occupied in Saturday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Smith’s absence won’t change anything regarding fantasy basketball, as starting point guard Davion Mitchell is available.

Larsson has been dealing with an illness for a few days, but it did not keep the Heat wing from starting Saturday’s game. He logged 25 minutes, finishing with 14 points (4-of-15 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), three rebounds and five assists. With Miami’s lack of perimeter depth, Larsson will have more opportunities to contribute this season. For that reason, he’s worth considering as a late-round option in deeper leagues.

Having agreed to a four-year extension last month, Larsson’s immediate future in Miami is secure. He came off the bench on Saturday and took on more playmaking responsibilities because of the Heat’s lack of depth at point guard. With Dru Smith (hamstring) currently out and not guaranteed to be a full go when the regular season begins, Larsson is even more enticing as a late-round option.

Larsson carved out a solid role for the Heat last season, starting 54 of the 70 regular-season games and averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game overall. He should again be a part of the nightly rotation in his third NBA season for a Miami team that expects to have a much higher ceiling with the offseason acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. From a fantasy perspective, Larsson could take another leap in production and build in 2026-27 on a strong end to his second season.

Shortly after NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Thompson had reached a buyout agreement with Dallas, Shams dropped the news that Thompson was headed to South Beach. Thompson’s final season in Dallas was forgettable, but he’s still an elite shooter, which is exactly what the Heat need to build this team around Giannis Antetokounmpo. There is a chance that Thompson starts alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis and Bam Adebayo, though he should play a significant role regardless. Pelle Larsson may take on a smaller role than anticipated with Thompson in town.

Larsson improved during his second NBA season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.9 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game. There were moments when he possessed streaming value, but the role was not robust enough to make him a must-roster in most fantasy leagues. Even if he continues to come off the bench, Larsson may take on a larger role in 2026-27 in the aftermath of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Among the players Miami parted with in the deal was Jaime Jaquez Jr., runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year.

Larsson is good to go after being listed as questionable on the injury report initially released by the Heat on Monday evening. He’ll figure prominently in the Heat wing rotation, whether he starts or comes off the bench. In four games against the Hornets during the regular season, Larsson averaged 15.3 points on 55.6 percent shooting from the field.

Larsson is listed as questionable with a right lower leg contusion. Nikola Jovic (ankle) and Dru Smith (foot) are out, but otherwise the Heat have a healthy roster heading into the Play-In Tournament.

Added to the injury report earlier Sunday, Larsson is now out for the Heat’s regular-season finale. Norman Powell is still questionable with a sore right groin. If he can play, he’ll absorb most of the minutes that would have gone to Larsson. If not, then Keshad Johnson should take on a more prominent role within the rotation.

Absent from the initial injury report released by the Heat, Larsson is dealing with a lower right leg contusion. If he’s unable to play, Keshad Johnson and Myron Gardner could see their minutes increase. Johnson, who played legitimate rotation minutes in Friday’s win over the Wizards, is the superior option for managers in active fantasy leagues.