NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Jamie Jaquez Jr. surges after strong week, who falls?

5. Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Last rank: 7

Since returning from a groin injury that kept him out through the end of January and the beginning of February, Jamie Jaquez Jr. has struggled to get back to the same level of production he once had.

Despite Jaquez Jr's. recent struggles, he has since rebounded over his last four games and has scored in the double digits in every outing since then. Against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, Jaquez Jr. opened the game with nine points and knocked down every 3-pointer he took in the first quarter.

Following his impressive first quarter in Dallas, Miami traveled to OKC to play the Thunder on the second night of a back-to-back. Despite losing 107-100, Jaquez Jr. had one of his best games of the season and scored 25 points on uber-efficient numbers.

The rookie from UCLA not only finished with 25 points, but he also showcased his elite defensive ability and recorded three steals against the Thunder.

Jaquez Jr. has had a down start to the 2024 year but has seemed to have put his struggles in the past. Jaquez Jr. will have many more opportunities to showcase his play in front of a national audience, but for now, the Heat will need to focus their efforts on getting out of the play-in race.

The Heat will play the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.