Tyler Herro injury update: Miami Heat star no longer wearing brace on injured right hand

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat has not played since suffering a broken right hand in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Herro underwent surgery was ruled out for four to six weeks, depending on how successful his rehabilitation is.

Herro told reporters back in the end of April before his surgery that he didn't know how he broke his hand. He suffered the injury after diving for a loose ball.

"I watched the video and I still don’t know like where I hit my hand," Herro said. "I still don't know. I probably shouldn't have dove on it, but I was trying to create some energy. We were on the road, in my hometown. Just trying to play hard."

When asked about his return, Herro was confident that he'll be back just in time for the NBA Finals if the Heat powers through the playoffs.

"That's the hope," Herro said. "Get to the finals and I can get back for that."

Fast forward to about a month, Tyler Herro is no longer wearing a cast and the Miami Heat are one win away from the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed. TNT's Allie LaForce gave an update on Herro's injury before Game 3 between the Heat and the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

LaForce reported that Herro had his cast removed, but has not been cleared to shoot the basketball. With the Heat expected to make it to their second NBA Finals appearance in four seasons, Herro could return just in time for Game 1 on June 1.

Here's a video of Herro not wearing his cast on Sunday before Game 3:

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Are the Miami Heat better off without Tyler Herro?

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat

Many people thought that the Miami Heat were done after Tyler Herro broke his hand in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Herro was the Heat's best player behind Jimmy Butler all season long. However, it seems like Miami played much better without Herro during their playoff run.

Butler has been virtually unstoppable in the postseason, leading the Heat to upset wins over the Bucks in the first round and the New York Knicks in the second. Miami are now one win away from the NBA Finals and becoming just the second No. 8 seed in history to reach it.

Herro's injury has opened up minutes for players such as Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin. All four undrafted players have been huge for the Heat. ESPN's Zach Lowe revealed on his podcast earlier this month that executives around the league thought the Heat are not missing Herro at all.

"I've heard from a number of executives around the league saying, 'I don't think the Heat miss Tyler Herro as much as people thought they were going to miss Tyler Herro,'" Lowe said. (h/t Heat Nation)