(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat were without Jimmy Butler on Monday night but that didn’t stop them from ruining Christmas for the Philadelphia 76ers and claiming a 119-113 win at home.
A surprising hero rose up to lead the Heat to victory: rookie player Jamie Jaquez Jr.
He posted 31 points and 10 rebounds during the game.
As noted by Bally Sports Sun: HEAT, Jaquez is only the second rookie in Heat history with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double, following in the footsteps of Grant Long from the 1988-89 season.
so about last night pic.twitter.com/zSovsHv0VF
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) December 26, 2023
It was indeed a very remarkable showing from Jaquez, who was selected as the 18th overall pick in the latest draft.
So far this season, the 22-year-old forward is posting 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
He is one of the many NBA rookies who is making a lot of noise in the league, along with Brandon Miller, Dereck Lively II, Brandin Podziemski, Chet Holmgren, and, of course, Victor Wembanyama.
The Heat have been slow to make many changes over the last few years.
In fact, the biggest alterations they’ve experienced have been losing players, not gaining them.
Because of that, Jaquez is a breath of fresh air and could be a major part of the franchise’s future.
For an aging team, a rookie like him is exactly what they need.
Jaquez was on the court for 39 minutes during Monday’s game and it remains to be seen if he gets as much time when Butler is healthy and back in the rotation.
He proved himself in a major way during the game against Philadelphia and that could lead to earning a spot in the starting lineup soon.
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