The case for how much the Miami Heat missed Goran Dragic in Sunday's loss to the Indiana Pacers was open and shut.
"I don't need a reminder," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We don't need a reminder."
Now the question is how quickly Dragic can open his right eye that was swollen shut from an inadvertent elbow Saturday night from Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph.
With Sunday's loss, the Heat fell to 1-8 in Dragic's absence this season, 9-32 since he joined the Heat at the 2015 trading deadline. He is listed with a right orbital contusion.
"Certainly Goran helps in his ability to attack the ball," Spoelstra said, "but that's not why we lost."
With Dragic unavailable, Josh Richardson opened at point guard in Sunday's 102-98 loss at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, closing without an assist.
Spoelstra said the greater concern is getting a more aggressive bent from Richardson.
"He does already organize you, where he gets people to the spots," Spoelstra said. "He can run offense. But now the next step is becoming more aggressive in looking for his opportunities to help us by him being an offensive weapon."
Richardson shot 2 of 9 against the Pacers.
The Heat's best playmakers Sunday in Dragic's absence were Dion Waiters, who closed with six assists and backup guard Tyler Johnson, who finished with five.
Like Richardson, Johnson struggled offensively when cast in more of a playmaking role, shooting 1 of 9 Sunday.
"He's always been great with the ball. He's very steady," Spoelstra said of Johnson as a playmaker. "For an aggressive player, that's unique. He's grown in his ability to generate offensive looks for us and to get us into offense if he needs to play the point. It fits how we want to play. The more versatility, the better. The more responsibilities you can handle for our team, the better."
Travel will not be an issue for Dragic for nearly two weeks, with the Heat's next five games at AmericanAirlines Arena, starting Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
"It'll be good to get back, get some rest," Spoelstra said. "Hopefully Goran's eye will feel better after a couple of days."
