Heat forward Rodney McGruder needs surgery on leg

Oct 12, 2017 - 7:42 PM MIAMI (AP) — Rodney McGruder, who started at small forward for the Miami Heat last season and was a strong candidate to open this season in the same role, will have surgery next week to repair a stress fracture in his leg. McGruder played in a team-high 78 games last season for Miami, starting 65 of them. The injury will likely keep him sidelined at least three months, though the timetable for a return will be known until after surgery. McGruder averaged 6.4 points per game last season, narrowly missing getting voted onto the All-Rookie team. With McGruder out, it could open a path for Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow to open as Miami's starting small forward. McGruder's injury situation was first reported by The Vertical. ___ More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball .