Bruised and bumped Powell a study in resilience in first Heat season

1 week ago 2

MIAMI — If the story of Norman Powell’s first season with the Miami Heat is his ability to score, more than ancillary to that equation is his resilience.

Saturday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center was the latest example of his ability to bounce back, leaving in the first quarter due to what the team termed leg soreness, listed as questionable to return at that point, and then back on the court in the second period.

“There was a lot of discussion about that on the bench, because we’re getting to know him,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of turning around and seeing Powell ask back in. “He trusts his body. He knows his body better than anybody. He said he was good. He did pass the protocols once he came back to the locker room.

“And then Norm was fine the rest of the way — except for when he was getting clubbed.”

Yes, a blow to the Heat endured, as well, by Powell.

But again, not enough to keep a good scorer down.

“I like thugging things out is what I like to say,” Powell said, with the Heat turning their attention to Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center, before opening a four-game trip on Tuesday night in Minnesota. “I’m not a person that’s going to sit out or pull myself out of the game with certain injuries. If I’m able to play and I feel that I’m able to go out there and produce and be helpful for my team, I’m going to go do that, no matter what the injury is.

“I’ve come back in games with a broken hand. The only injury I never came back in the game for was when I subluxed my shoulder back in my second year. I couldn’t lift it up after that, even though I tried.”

It is an example that Powell, at 32, insists on setting.

“Yeah, I’m just a player that’s going to play through all the bumps and bruises unless I physically can’t go out there and play,” he said. “And I don’t want to take the game for granted. We’ve only got a limited number of games and time in this league.”

As for the late blow to the head? Just a bump to follow the bruises.

“Another lump or something back here,” he said, touching the back of his head. “I’ve got some hair to cover it up. But yeah, I’ve got a little lump back there. But I’ve got to tell the coach, ‘Man, I can take a punch, I can take some hits.’

“I pride myself on being tough and playing through stuff. So nothing that’s too concerning for me.”

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