MIAMI — All-Star guard Norman Powell has a strained right groin and will be out for at least a week, the Miami Heat said Friday.
Powell got hurt in the first half of Miami’s loss at Philadelphia on Thursday night. An MRI confirmed a Grade 1 — or low-severity — strain, and the Heat said Powell’s status is being listed as week-to-week at this point.
Powell is Miami’s leading scorer this season, averaging 22.5 points. The Heat are 22-16 when he scores at least 19 points, and 9-13 when he doesn’t score that many or doesn’t play at all.
If Powell misses only a week, his absence could be as little as four games: home against Houston on Saturday, home against Brooklyn on Tuesday and Thursday, then at Charlotte on Friday.
Saturday’s game against the Rockets starts a stretch where Miami plays seven home games in an eight-game span.
Powell, an All-Star for the first time this year, is in his debut season with the Heat. He leads Miami in total field goals, total 3-point field goals and total free throws this season.
