Heat's Justise Winslow likely out for season with injury

The Miami Heat’s difficult season just got tougher.

Forward Justise Winslow has a torn labrum in his right shoulder and likely will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Wednesday. He will undergo surgery on Thursday.

Winslow, a rugged and promising second-year player and a key part of the Heat’s rebuild, has played in just 18 games for the 10-26 Heat. He averaged 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds but struggled with his shot. Winslow also missed games earlier this season with an injured right (non-shooting) wrist.

Winslow sustained the injury in Friday’s 117-114 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Even though the Heat lost Dwyane Wade to the Chicago Bulls in the offseason, they believed a core of Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic and Winslow could keep them competitive in the East.

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The Heat may have not been going anywhere in the East, but this slows Winslow’s development. The tough season and Winslow’s injury could impact Miami’s activity at the trade deadline, too. They are over the salary cap but under the luxury tax line.

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