Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith was involved in a car accident on Tuesday, February 6, on his way home following the team's victory over the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center that night, per the Sun Sentinel.
The accident caused injuries to other individuals, but the 6-foot-5 player himself did not sustain any. Highsmith had a brief three-minute appearance in their victory against the Magic and did not record any statistics.
The former Wheeling Cardinals player was absent from the second game of their back-to-back homestand on Wednesday, February 7, against the San Antonio Spurs. The absence was attributed to "personal reasons," likely related to his need for recovery following the recent accident.
"We have been made aware that Highsmith was involved in a car accident heading home from last night's game. Highsmith is listed as out for tonight's contest against the San Antonio Spurs due to Personal Reasons," the team said in a statement before Wednesday's game.
Haywood Highsmith accident causes someone to lose part of a leg
Reports indicate that Highsmith struck an individual assisting another driver stuck in the middle of the road that night, according to a senior law-enforcement source.
The man who was hit was in critical condition and has undergone a partial amputation of his leg.
The 21-year-old victim not only had his right leg partially amputated but also sustained a broken left leg and left arm as a result of the incident.
Highsmith was not suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, and no tests were administered.
"Our hearts go out to those who were injured. We will have no further comment at this time," the Heat said.
Haywood Highsmith's NBA career
Currently in his third season with Miami at the age of 27, Highsmith has appeared in 37 games this season, contributing an average of 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in approximately 20.7 minutes of game time while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from three-point range.
Highsmith is a former two-way contract player who made his way into head coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation last season. Before joining the Heat in 2021, he had a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers during the latter part of the 2018-19 season.
The Baltimore, Maryland native played a significant role as a key member of the Heat squad that progressed to face the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals last year, averaging seven minutes per contest in the championship series.
Highsmith went undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft but had multiple experiences in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats, having four stints with the team from 2018 to 2022.
Additionally, he spent time with the German team Crailsheim Merlins in the Basketball Bundesliga from 2020 to 2021.
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