Heat center Orlando Robinson out with thumb fracture, depth scarce behind Bam Adebayo – The Mercury News

The Miami Heat announced Wednesday that Orlando Robinson has a fractured right thumb.

The team did not immediately indicate when the injury was sustained, but the undrafted rookie center is expected to miss several weeks.

Robinson played 10:41 in Tuesday night’s 100-97 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, including 4:27 in the second half, closing with three points and three rebounds.

Robinson had been playing as the sole backup to starting center Bam Adebayo, with veteran big man Dewayne Dedmon yet to see action since he was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team, after he exchanged words with coach Erik Spoelstra during the Jan. 10 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Heat’s depth at center has been depleted with second-year center Omer Yurtseven only last week making it back to contact work after November ankle surgery, and rookie big man Nikola Jovic sidelined by back spasms.

If the Heat do not turn to Dedmon, who began the season as Adebayo’s primary backup, the other current options at center are 42-year-old team captain Udonis Haslem or undersized options such as Haywood Highsmith or Jamal Cain, who, like Robinson, is on a two-way contract.

Among veteran big men who are available are Tristan Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins, but the Heat lack the space below the punitive NBA luxury tax at the moment for such signings.

Unlike players on standard contracts, Robinson’s two-way contract does not count against the luxury tax or salary cap, instead considered G League salary.

Robinson will return to South Florida for further diagnosis.

In addition to being without Yurtseven and Jovic, the Heat also have been without guard Duncan Robinson since finger surgery last month.

Yurtseven, Jovic, Cain and both Robinsons are listed as out for Thursday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the third stop on a four-game trip that concludes Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

In addition to those five players, the Heat’s injury report for Thursday has guard Victor Oladipo listed as questionable with a sprained right ankle and guard Gabe Vincent listed as questionable with an inflamed right ankle.

This story will be updated.

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